rare phenomenon
Seldom-seen event
A rare phenomenon is an event or occurrence that happens infrequently or under unusual conditions.
The phrase appears in scientific and general contexts alike: Ball lightning remains a rare phenomenon that scientists struggle to explain.
Something called a rare phenomenon carries implicit interest—if it weren't noteworthy, we'd just call it uncommon.
- anomalyDeparture from the expected
- solar eclipseMoon obscuring the sun
- total eclipseComplete blocking of light
- eclipseCelestial body blocks another
- auroraAtmospheric light display
northern lights · comet · miracle · act of God · oddity · unicorn · black swan · freak accident · lightning · meteor · once-in-a-lifetime · once in a blue moon · extraordinary · supernatural · glimpse · sighting · natural wonder · celestial
rare phenomenonmatter of course
Expected natural result
standard fare · nothing special · background noise · fact of life · business as usual
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