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Simulating glories and cloudbows in color.

Stanley D Gedzelman1

  • 1Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and the Center for Remote Sensing Science and Technology, City College of New York, New York, New York 10031, USA. stan@scisun.sci.ccny.cuy.edu

Applied Optics
|February 7, 2003
PubMed
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Simulating glories and cloudbows using Mie scattering theory reveals droplet size impacts their appearance. Smaller droplets create distinct glories, while larger ones yield more colorful cloudbows with supernumerary bands.

Area of Science:

  • Atmospheric optics
  • Light scattering

Background:

  • Glories and cloudbows are optical phenomena observed in clouds and rain.
  • Understanding their appearance requires considering light interaction with water droplets.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To simulate the colors of glories and cloudbows using Mie scattering theory.
  • To investigate the influence of droplet size and cloud properties on these phenomena.

Main Methods:

  • Mie scattering theory applied to light upwelling from finite optical thickness clouds.
  • Simulations incorporate Rayleigh scattering atmosphere and varying droplet radii.

Main Results:

  • Glories are distinct for droplet radii up to ~10 microm; they shrink and fade with increasing radius.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Cloudbows become more distinct and colorful with larger droplet radii, showing supernumerary bands above ~10 microm.
  • Uniform droplet size and single scattering enhance glory brightness and color purity.

    • Conclusions:

    • Droplet size is critical: smaller for glories, larger for colorful cloudbows with supernumerary arcs.
    • Optimal conditions for bright glories and bows include uniform droplets, specific cloud optical thickness, and a dark background.