Iridescent Clouds

Date: 17.6.2004 Optics: f=135mm
Place: Tübingen, Germany Observer: Till Credner

Date:	17.6.2004	Optics:	f=135mm
Place:	Tübingen, Germany	Observer:	Till Credner

Sometimes you may see colorful clouds in the vicinity of the sun. However, you should wear sunglasses and block the direct sunlight to see the effect clearly with no dazzling. Do not look directly into the sun!

Such iridescent clouds appear due to diffraction effects if the clouds water droplets are of similar sizes.

See also:
Further images of iridescent clouds
M.G.J. Minnaert: "Light and Color in the Outdoors", Springer-Verlag
R. Greenler: "Rainbows, Halos, and Glories", Cambridge University Press
L. Cowley: "Atmospheric Optics" web site