A breathtaking phenomenon known as cloud iridescence graced the skies above Goomalling in Western Australia, leaving residents in awe, ABC News reports.
The dazzling spectacle unfolded in a matter of minutes, but its short-lived appearance has left an indelible mark on those lucky enough to witness it.
Cloud Rainbow Amazes Residents
Jenni Shaw, who was at her family-owned business in Goomalling, vividly recalls the moment when she and her colleagues were instructed to gaze skyward.
"We all went out the front and had a look, and there were some bright, rainbow-type clouds in the sky that we hadn't seen before," she recounted.
"It was beautiful, but we were a bit like, 'why is that like that? Should we still be outside looking or not?'"
The answer to Shaw's question lies in the intricate science behind this mesmerizing natural phenomenon.
Expert Explains Rare Phenomenon
Jessica Lingard from the Bureau of Meteorology tells ABC News that cloud iridescence occurs in much the same way as rainbows, through the diffraction of sunlight off water or ice crystals in the atmosphere.
Lingard likened it to a "perfect storm" of conditions - the sun's angle, cloud density, and sunlight interacting harmoniously to create a stunning display of colored light.
"It's an absolutely stunning photo," Lingard added, emphasizing the rarity of witnessing this event in person. While cloud iridescence is estimated to be as common as rainbows, its fleeting nature makes it a challenge to spot.
These iridescent clouds often appear for just five to ten minutes before the atmospheric conditions shift, causing them to vanish as quickly as they emerged.
The Science Behind Rainbow Clouds
The science behind this extraordinary phenomenon lies in the unique qualities of the clouds responsible for cloud iridescence. One must first grasp the basics of iridescence in clouds to understand how this happens.
As Lingard explained, iridescence in clouds occurs when certain cloud components, typically thin cloud parts, contain droplets or ice crystals of similar size.
These uniform-sized particles cause the diffraction of light, resulting in the clouds shimmering with colors that resemble a corona.
Atoptics UK tells us that the term "iridescence" or "irisation" is derived from Iris, the Greek personification of the rainbow, reflecting this phenomenon's enchanting and colorful nature.
While sky watchers often report seeing rainbow colors in clouds, cloud iridescence is unique in its characteristics. The presence of randomly distributed rainbow-like colors, mainly when the sun is nearby in the sky, is a telltale sign of iridescent clouds.
More reports tell us that this natural display is typically associated with cloud types such as altocumulus, cirrocumulus, lenticular, and cirrus clouds.
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