'A beautiful appearance of some cirrus clouds near the sun, the central part of the cloud being of a fine pink or red, then green, and pink fringe. This continued for about a quarter of an hour. The same was observed on the 27th of the month, but not so bright. Distance of clouds from sun, from 3° to 6°.'
On the 1st February the temperature was 38° below zero, and on the 27th February 26° below.
'On the 23d and 30th (of March) the same splendid appearance of clouds as mentioned in last month's journal was observed. On the first of these days, about 10.30 a.m., it was extremely beautiful. The clouds were about 8° or 10° from the sun, below him and slightly to the eastward,—having a green fringe all round, then pink; the center part at first green, and then pink or red.'
The temperature was 21° below zero, Fahrenheit.
There may have been other colors—blue, perhaps—but I merely noted the most prominent; and what I call green may have been bluish, although I do not mention this last color in my notes.
From the lowness of the temperature at the time, the clouds must have been frozen moisture.
The phenomenon is by no means common, even in the Arctic zone.
The second beautiful cloud-picture shown this afternoon brought so visibly to my memory the appearance seen by me as above described, that I could not avoid remarking upon it.
Believe me very truly yours,
John Rae." (M.D., F.R.S.)
Now this letter enables me to leave the elements of your problem for you in very clear terms.