Astronomy Picture of the Day
Credit & Copyright:
Explanation: Why would a cloud appear to be different colors? A relatively rare phenomenon known as
iridescent clouds can show unusual colors vividly or a whole spectrum of colors simultaneously. These clouds are formed of small water droplets of nearly uniform size. When the Sun is in the right position and mostly hidden by thick clouds, these thinner clouds significantly diffract sunlight in a nearly coherent manner, with different colors being deflected by different amounts. Therefore, different colors will come to the observer from slightly different directions. Many clouds start with uniform regions that could show iridescence but quickly become too thick, too mixed, or too far from the Sun to exhibit striking colors. This iridescent cloud was photographed above Boulder, Colorado last week.
Tami, love of Frogs, captured another version of this phenomenon on film in Oregon earlier this year. I am trying to see if she will put it up and link to it. I have seen it over the years, not to the degree that is pictured here. Of course, did I think to get a picture!! NO!!
Lovely picture, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMy Gosh...if I saw that out here, I would think the aliens were coming....LOL. We were fortunate enough last year to capture a sun flare. That was amazing also. Great story John and photos as well.
ReplyDeleteoh I love this site too..used to recieve their daily emails at one time
ReplyDelete...and rainbows are so close to my heart!
Amazing pics!
that is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWow. That is amazing. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful!! :)
ReplyDeleteI second the motion to have a national... nay... international (because then I can participate) cloud-watching day! I have a feeling I would have been too much in awe of the sight to have gotten a picture too. Stunning!
ReplyDeleteWow. . .Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWow, what an amazing picture - I c u have used it as your background too - it looks very impressive.
ReplyDeleteHey John, gorgeous pic! I've certainly never seen anything like that-but would count myself fortunate to see that. I agree totally- a cloud watching day-so who do we write first? lol-it makes a great background too. :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a great picture! I'll have to check that site too!:)
ReplyDeleteThat's an amazing photo. I have seen very small ones but nothing like this large. This one almost looks like a bird with rainbow wings. I love Nasa photos too..simple amazing. :)
ReplyDeleteOMG, Tami does some wonderful pictures but this one surely is great! Yes, nature gives us some really beautiful things ~ always seem to amaze....
ReplyDeleteI second the National Cloud Watching Day ~ actually bet you get a lot of seconds on that one!
Nice blog, John ~ Both yours and Tami's work!
OMG I love this. I have a special affinity for rainbows they have an extra special meaning to me. I love this picture. thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteI take pictures like that all the time! Nah, just wishful thinking. I need to check out the link; my son would love it. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCool picture Dr. O
ReplyDeleteGenesis 9: 11 Yes, I am confirming my covenant with you. Never again will floodwaters kill all living creatures; never again will a flood destroy the earth.” 12 Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. 13 I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. 14 When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, 15 and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life. 16 When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth.” 17 Then God said to Noah, “Yes, this rainbow is the sign of the covenant I am confirming with all the creatures on earth.”
ReplyDelete