Saharan sunrise in Portlaoise
Sunrise in Portlaoise on Sunday 6 April. Image: Laois Weather/Forest Wolf Photography
DUST from the Sahara is visible in this magnificent image of sunrise in Portlaoise, which was captured yesterday by Forest Wolf Photography for the Laois Weather station.
Posting pictures on the Laois Weather social media page, showing sunrise and sunset in the town on Sunday 6 April, photographer Jim Osbourne said: ‘If you look closely, you'll see dark patches on the sun’s surface, thanks to the Sahara dust in the atmosphere.
‘It's acting like a filter, so we can see sunspots … never thought I'd photograph sunspots but there ya have it!’
The deep red dust blown in from the Sahara is all too familiar, often coating properties and vehicles with a rust-coloured film of dust.
Jim was careful to issue a caution, saying: ‘Never look directly at the sun with your naked eyes or camera, as it will damage your sight or camera sensor.’
Other images can be viewed on the Laois Weather Facebook page. The Laois Met Éireann climatological station (Number 472) was installed in Durrow in September 2010 and data collected is sent to headquarters in Glasnevin, Dublin.
