2019年2月15日 · Few sky watchers have ever mistaken a rainbow before, but rainbow-colored clouds are victims of mistaken identity every morning, noon, and twilight. What causes rainbow colors within clouds? And which kinds of clouds can appear multi-colored?

2025年2月20日 · What is a rainbow cloud? A rainbow cloud can occur because of something called cloud iridescence. It usually happens in altocumulus, cirrocumulus, lenticular and cirrus clouds. Iridescent clouds happen because of diffraction – a phenomenon that occurs when small water droplets or small ice crystals scatter the sun's light.

Cloud iridescence or irisation is a colorful optical phenomenon that occurs in a cloud and appears in the general proximity of the Sun or Moon. The colors resemble those seen in soap bubbles and oil on a water surface. It is a type of photometeor.

2023年12月20日 · They're some of the highest clouds in our atmosphere and form in very cold conditions over polar regions. It happens when the sun is just below the horizon which causes the clouds to be lit...

2013年7月18日 · Iridescent clouds, known as "fire rainbows" or "rainbow clouds," occur when sunlight diffracts off water droplets in the atmosphere. And the recipe for these heavenly sights is actually pretty...

2023年12月22日 · Rare "rainbow clouds" formed in the early morning, creating waves of yellows, pinks and blues above homes. Locals took videos of the clouds, which give the sky an almost oil slick-like sheen....

2022年5月10日 · Similar to how rainbows and moonbows form, circumhorizontal arcs form when sun light passes small water droplets or small ice crystals in the clouds, refracting the light. Basically, what you end up with is a “rainbow” within a cloud. Specific conditions have to happen before circumhorizontal arcs occur.

2022年7月2日 · Rainbow clouds, also known as iridescent clouds, are a fascinating phenomenon that occurs when sunlight interacts with cloud droplets or ice crystals within certain types of clouds. These clouds exhibit beautiful pastel colors that resemble a rainbow.

2025年2月20日 · What Causes a Rainbow? The Short Answer: A rainbow is caused by sunlight and atmospheric conditions. Light enters a water droplet, slowing down and bending as it goes from air to denser water. The light reflects off the inside of the droplet, separating into its component wavelengths--or colors. When light exits the droplet, it makes a rainbow.

But have you ever seen a rainbow cloud? This can happen because of something called cloud iridescence. It usually happens in altocumulus, cirrocumulus, lenticular and cirrus clouds. It's the same basic concept as a rainbow. Small water droplets or small ice crystals scatter the sun's light.