Raytracing Simulation of nebular media

Demonstration of a nebular medium:

The effect of scattering of light during the transmission of a sphere filled with tiny particles, which is illuminated from a light source shining from above, is shown here.

The central ikosaeder sends light out and the beams become visible in this atom-like simulation.

Pure Atmospheric scattering effects:

Sunset , seen over the ocean on a cloudless day.

Sunset under the same circumstances, but with Mie-scattering.

Simulation of clouds: (All calculation times are on a 387/33MHz)

High layers of Altocirrus . Sun is 10 degrees above the horizon. (9h51m)

Smooth Cumulus clouds, when the sun is on the same position as in the preceding simulation. Please note the shadows of the clouds which are projected on the atmosphere.

Cumulus clouds, same configuration as before, sun is at 10 degrees, but now seen from a viewpoint of 1500m above sea level. The cloud layers range from 2000m-4000m.

Same cloud configuration as before, but with the sun at one degree above the horizon. Seen from the ground (3m above sea level).

Same cloud configuration as before, but with the sun exactly at the horizon.

The setting sun (one degree above the horizon) is shining through layers of dense clouds. (1d 1h46m)

Zoom of the preceding image. View angle is 10 degrees. (1d 1h 6m)

After sunset. The sun is one degree below the horizon. (18h23m)

Very dense cloud simulation with sun at 10 degrees above horizon, at one degree above horizon and zoom of the sun setting behind the clouds. Same weather conditions, with the sun exactly at the horizon (and Zoom). Last not least: The sun one degree below the horizon.

And for hackers: Here is the source code of the main module of the simulation program. Sorry, comments are in german.