Pueblo Cloud Corona

March 19, 2007

9357-jan07

Provided and copyright by: Van Truan
Summary authors & editors: Jim Foster, Van Truan

The resplendent cloud corona shown above was taken from Pueblo, Colorado on January 10, 2006. A cloud corona, like all coronas and iridescent clouds, is a diffraction phenomenon. It's caused by the deflection of sunlight about water tiny water droplets of near uniform size. After light strikes the droplets, interference rings are generated by the outgoing light waves, forming alternating regions of enhanced brilliance and darkness. The tree in the foreground is a spruce.

Related Links: