When parts of clouds are thin and have droplets of similar sizes they can shine with diffracted light colours just like a corona. In fact, they are corona fragments. The effect is called cloud iridescence or irisation, terms derived from Iris the Greek personification of the rainbow.
The usually delicate colours can be in almost random patches or in bands at cloud edges. They are only organized in coronal rings when the droplet size is uniform right across the cloud. The bands and colours change or come and go as the cloud evolves. Uniform size droplets occur mostly when parts of clouds are forming or finally dispersing.
Sometimes iridescence can be seen far from the sun. However, it is most frequent near to the sun. Hide the sun safely behind a building or tree to view iridescence safely.
Location: Chico, California.
Date: 11-01.
Photographer: Ray Rochelle.
California, Chico, clouds, iridescent, irisation, rainbow, Rochelle
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