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World Affairs, Geography
Mahesh

05/09/22 06:18 AM IST

Rare rainbow cloud in China stuns residents and netizens

In News 
  • Recently,pictures of an unusually-shaped rainbow cloud that appeared over China were widely shared on social media.
  • The cloud in question resembles a pileus cloud.
Pileus Cloud 
  • A pileus cloud is usually formed over a cumulus or cumulonimbus cloud.
  • It is formed when the base cloud pushes a moist current of air upwards and the water vapour from the current condenses to somewhat resemble wave-like crests, or umbrellas.
  • In popular western culture, it is called as an “accessory cloud” that is “rather like a cloud haircut”.
  • A pileus cloud is transient in nature and lasts barely for a few minutes, making it difficult, and at the same time, exciting, to spot.
Cloud iridescence
  • Cloud iridescence or Irisation is an optical phenomenon that mostly occurs in wave-like clouds, including pileus and Altocumulus lenticularis.
  • Iridescence in clouds means the appearance of colours on clouds, which can either be in the form of parallel bands like in a rainbow, or mingled in patches.
  • In ancient Greek mythology, Iris is the goddess of rainbow. “Irisation”, the phenomenon of rainbow-like colours in clouds, is derived from her name.
  • Iridescence of clouds is a photometeor.
  • It is an optical phenomenon produced by the reflection, refraction, diffraction or interference of sunlight.
Source- Indian Express 

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