An unusual phenomenon caused seven suns to appear in the sky of China: Dragon Balls?

On August 18, 2024, residents of Chengdu, a city in southwest China, witnessed a phenomenon that left everyone in awe: the appearance of seven suns in the skyThis unusual event, which quickly went viral on social media, has generated a wave of curiosity and theories.

The phenomenon occurred on the evening of August 18, when residents of Chengdu observed what appeared to be seven suns aligned in the sky. The spectacle lasted about a minute, enough time for many to capture images and videos that quickly spread across the internet. Although the event was brief, its impact was significant, generating thousands of reactions and comments on social media.

The phenomenon of the seven suns is known as parhelion, an atmospheric optical event that occurs when sunlight is refracted through ice crystals in cirrus-type clouds. This effect acts like prisms, splitting the light and creating additional images of the sun, known as “fake suns.” In the case of Chengdu, A multiple parhelion was formed, where several images of the sun appeared simultaneously, creating the illusion of seven suns in the sky.

Images and videos of the phenomenon went viral in a matter of hours. Users from all over the world shared their theories and amazement at the celestial spectacle. Some compared the event to the Dragon Balls from the popular anime series “Dragon Ball,” while others saw it as an omen or an apocalyptic event.However, experts quickly clarified that it was a natural phenomenon and not something supernatural.

The scientific community has taken advantage of the event’s virality to educate the public about atmospheric optical phenomena. They explained that, although rare, parhelia are not new and have been documented in different parts of the world over the centuries.