When we gaze at the skies, we often see a dazzling array of natural phenomena. Among the most intriguing and breathtaking are the optical effects known as solar glory, pilot’s glory, and the Brocken spectre. These phenomena, though often elusive, can be incredibly stunning when they occur.

What is solar glory?

Solar glory is a colorful, halo-like phenomenon that appears around the sun, often when sunlight interacts with water droplets or ice crystals in the atmosphere. It manifests as a series of concentric rings of color, typically red on the inside, fading to blue on the outside. The effect is produced by the diffraction of sunlight, similar to how light refracts through a prism. The solar glory is often seen from high altitudes, like on mountaintops or in aircraft, where the viewer is positioned above clouds or mist.
These ethereal rings create a surreal effect, almost as though the sun itself is surrounded by an otherworldly crown. While a solar glory can be seen from the ground on rare occasions, it is most commonly observed by pilots, leading to the alternate name pilot’s glory. I was fortunate to capture this stunning image during a flight. As someone who’s always fascinated by sky phenomena, witnessing such a rare sight really made my day.

Photo: Christine Meiler

The Brocken spectre: A shadowy giant

One of the most mysterious aspects of these phenomena is the Brocken spectre, a dramatic optical effect that occurs when a person is at a high elevation, like on a mountain peak, and casts a shadow on clouds or mist below them. This shadow is often magnified and surrounded by a halo of light, creating the illusion of a giant figure in the sky.
The Brocken spectre gets its name from the Brocken mountain in Germany, where it was first documented.The Brocken spectre occurs due to the diffraction of light around droplets or ice crystals in the air, coupled with the position of the sun and the observer’s vantage point. The result is a stunning, almost mystical image of a shadowy figure, seemingly towering over the landscape, often appearing larger than life.

Brocken Inaglory, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The beauty of natural light shows

These phenomena remind us of the hidden beauty that exists in our natural world. Solar glory, pilot’s glory, and the Brocken spectre all occur under specific conditions, but when they do, they offer a reminder of the incredible ways in which light interacts with the atmosphere. Whether you’re a mountaineer, a pilot, or just someone who enjoys marveling at the skies, these spectacles offer a rare and awe-inspiring glimpse into the magic of nature’s optical wonders.