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endure — iridescent clouds
Published: 2005-08-22 21:28:30 +0000 UTC; Views: 215; Favourites: 3; Downloads: 12
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I believe I captured a rare phenomenon with this picture.. something called 'iridescent clouds'. This is where the water droplets in the lower clouds are practically identical in size, and the overlaying clouds are fairly thick. Then all it takes is the perfect angle between the sun and you to see rainbow coloured clouds.I was staring up on the dock at my friend's cottage with a beer, and saw these rainbow-coloured clouds. I thought it must be an effect with my sunglasses, but I took them off and they were still coloured. I then quickly grabbed my camera and took this shot. I also submitted it to spaceweather.com and astronomy picture of the day, so hopefully it proves to be this rare phenomenon!
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Comments: 20
iridescence is not rare....you can catch it every time the sun is near some clouds......when those clouds start to glow when closing in to the sun......there is iridescence........but set your camera at low exposure
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Thank you!
I suggest this capture though, for true colours: [link]
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your welcome 
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I just submitted a photo of iridescent clouds myself [link] and I linked to yours as another example of the phenomenon -- and a beautiful one at that!!
I really like the way you've set up the shot: the contrast of the bright sky with the dark outline of the tree is really effective, and the balance is very nice between the two. Yours is really a stunning photo, congratulations!
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Hey! Nice shot.. I suggest making it smaller (like around 768x1024), as you see less noise and more distinct colours!
I have actually been very lucky in seeing iridescent clouds, as I have probably about a dozen times now. I have captured it a few times with my camera around, but my best capture is probably this one: [link] (just after this [link] )
I always have my sunglasses on, so it is MUCH easier to see when it is occurring! I also constantly stare at the sky since I love all the wonders.
We are lucky to see such a thing and be able to enjoy it
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OMG I thought I did reduce the size, I usually do~! Thanks for pointing that out. And thanks for sharing those other links, they're spectacular too! I'm definitely going to be on the lookout for more iridescence and halos, myself, and hopefully with my camera nearby!
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heh no problems. I wish I had some people around as passionate about this all as you heh.. you seem to really love it!
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Oops, my link got broke because I punctuated it... here it is again: [link]
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Thanks! It is definitely a different sort of rainbow shot heh
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Wow!
That is very unique. I've never seen clouds like that before.
What wonders nature can produce!
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Wouldn't it be crazy if clouds did that a lot? A brilliant blue backdrop with rainbow colours everywhere
Either way though, still very cool hehe
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Yes, it is a rare phenomena. I read up on it awhile back, and I'm fascinated by them.
Lovely shot.
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Thank you so much
It really is fascinating.. I love clouds, and really anything to do with nature
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Wow... I remember seeing something a bit like that onece - it was stunning, looked like mother of pearl almost... It was a couple of years ago now, but I can still see it really clearly when i think about it, it made that much of an impression - never seen it again though!
Great picture!
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It is really funny.. about half of the people I have shown it to have a similar story like that. With that, I am glad that this can make people remember of such things.. it is always a great feeling to remember something awesome like that
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Interesting! It looks like you definitely caught something special there -- it looks very unusual. Nice shot!
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Thanks mate.. yea I think I did! I am just hoping that the Phd guys over at spaceweather think so too
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