Irisation
Term · Meteorology and atmospheric science · MLC-T-MET-006657
The display of colors in clouds, similar to those seen in soap bubbles or oil slicks, caused by the diffraction of sunlight. This optical effect results from the scattering of light by small, uniformly sized water droplets or ice crystals within the cloud. Irisation is most pronounced when the cloud is thin and located close to the sun, often appearing as pastel shades of pink, green, and blue.
| Identifier | MLC-T-MET-006657 |
|---|---|
| Field | Meteorology and atmospheric science |
Record as JSON
{
"id": "MLC-T-MET-006657",
"term": "Irisation",
"field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
"definition": "The display of colors in clouds, similar to those seen in soap bubbles or oil slicks, caused by the diffraction of sunlight. This optical effect results from the scattering of light by small, uniformly sized water droplets or ice crystals within the cloud. Irisation is most pronounced when the cloud is thin and located close to the sun, often appearing as pastel shades of pink, green, and blue.",
"url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/irisation/"
}
Record 5,125 of 10,816 in Meteorology and atmospheric science terminology (MLC-0110). Request the full dataset.