In the picture below, the sun is shining from behind the growing cumulus tower. This bright outline along the edge of the cloud is the silver lining, which occurs when light is diffracted by cloud droplets along the cloud's outer edge. Silver linings are observed around thicker clouds containing larger droplets.

Sometimes, diffraction of sunlight in clouds produce a multitude of colors. This optical effect is called cloud iridescence.

These colors are usually observed within 20 degrees of the sun and are easier to look at through sunglasses.

coronas

Terms for using data resources. CD-ROM available. Credits and Acknowledgments for WW2010. Department of Atmospheric Sciences (DAS) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Rainbows