Brocken specterA phenomenon observed when shadows of aircraft, or of people on a high mountain, are cast on a cloud below. An observer's own shadow appears vastly magnified: this is an optical illusion. Those of others appear to the observer surrounded by rings of color, due to diffraction by water droplets in the cloud. Related categories SCIENTIFIC MYSTERIES OPTICS AND OPTICAL PHENOMENA Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History |