Visual Feast in the Sky: Rare Iridescent Cloud Filmed in Indonesia
The sky, even in its ordinary state, is quite mesmerizing. However, there are days when it becomes the stage for such distinct natural phenomena that those who witness them can hardly believe their eyes. Especially, the rare natural events offer a veritable visual feast. Being a witness to these moments turns out to be a truly captivating experience.
A shimmering cloud captured in the sky in Indonesia garnered significant attention on social media. Viewers had a hard time believing that the footage was real.
You can watch it from here;
So, how does this image come into being?
The natural phenomenon underlying this enchanting display is referred to as 'cloud iridescence,' or sometimes its frequently mistaken counterpart, the 'fire rainbow' (circumhorizontal arc).
1. Thin and High Clouds
This spectacle is typically observed in cirrus clouds situated at great altitudes or in newly formed altocumulus clouds. The defining characteristic of these clouds is their thinness, coupled with the presence of small water droplets or tiny ice crystals of similar size within them.
2. Light Diffraction
In traditional rainbows, light is refracted as it passes through a water droplet. However, in the case of cloud iridescence, the process at work is diffraction. When light encounters the minute obstacles (droplets or crystals) in the cloud, it bends and disperses into different colors.
3. The Significance of Droplet Size
The reason the colors appear so pronounced and 'metallic' is that the droplets in the cloud are nearly identical in size. If the droplets were of varying sizes, the colors would blend together, and we would only see white light. When the droplets are homogeneous, each color distinctly charts its own course.
4. The Position of the Sun
In order to witness this phenomenon, the Sun generally needs to be behind or very close to the cloud (approximately 20 degrees away). As the light passes through the edges of the cloud, this bending occurs, presenting us with those pastel, pearlescent hues.
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