Iridescence around The Sun: View from Colorado | Earth Science
Photographer Paul Robinson: "Strongly colored irridescent rings around the sun formed by cirrus clouds. 2pm MST"
Iridescence is a colorful optical phenomenon that can occur in the general proximity of the Sun. The colors resemble those seen in soap bubbles and oil on a water surface. The colors are usually pastel, but can be very vivid or mingled together, sometimes similar to mother-of-pearl. When appearing near the Sun, the effect can be difficult to spot as it is drowned in the Sun's glare. This may be overcome by shielding the sunlight with one's hand or hiding it behind a tree or building. Other aids are dark glasses, or observing the sky reflected in a convex mirror or in a pool of water.
Iridescence occurs when sunlight interacts with tiny water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere. These microscopic particles act as tiny prisms, refracting and scattering light in such a way that it separates into its component colors, creating a stunning display of hues.
Iridescent clouds are an optical effect that can appear in various thin cloud layers, such as altocumulus, cirrocumulus, lenticular, and cirrus clouds. The phenomenon occurs when sunlight or moonlight interacts with small, uniform water droplets or ice crystals, scattering and diffracting the light to produce a spectrum of colors.
Colorado is a state in the Western United States. It is one of the Mountain states, and Southwestern region of the United States, sharing the Four Corners region with Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. It is also bordered by Wyoming to the north, Nebraska to the northeast, Kansas to the east, and Oklahoma to the Southeast.
Location: Longmont, Colorado, USA
Date: Feb. 15, 2026
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