Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/03/10
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 03:16 PM 3/10/2009, you wrote: >LUG: > >I've always called the slight rainbows around the sun a sun dog and >wikipedia seems to agree, but I can't find any information on the >rainbow reflections in the clouds opposite the sun, not around the >sun. Does anybody know if there is a particular name for this >atmospheric optical phenomenon? I have to keyword the stock photos. > >http://www.pbase.com/tinamanley/image/110074252 >http://www.pbase.com/tinamanley/image/110074270 > >TIA > >Tina Tina, The rainbows that one sees in clouds opposite the sun go by the name of alpinist's glory or pilot's glory. Usually they are nearly or completely circular. You can most often see them as you watch the shadow of the airplane move across clouds. This is not as dramatic as when it is rain rather than cloud and is seen from a mountain peak. I love your photos. Lee