Iridescence Over Sugla Golu, Turkey

May 24, 2006

Iriscloud

Provided by: Filipe Alves
Summary authors & editors: Filipe Alves

Just two hours after the wonderful total solar eclipse off March 29 (from Sugla Golu,Turkey), we were treated a display of colorful iridescent clouds. Though tame in comparison to the eclipse phenomena, they capped a most remarkable day of sky viewing. Irisation or iridescence is caused by diffraction of light by uniform cloud or ice crystals. Altocumulus, lenticular and cirrocumulus clouds typically produce iridescence when in proximity to the Sun.

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