Is fire rainbow photo real?

[Mister_Rik]

@MikeS

Actually, my guess would be that the photographer used a polarizing filter; it blocks out a larger fraction of the light from the sky than from the clouds, and you’d get much the same effect without any need for post-processing shenanigans.

I live in Eastern Washington, and I’ve seen this kind of thing (though not so dramatic) fairly often when I’m bicycling and wearing certain sunglasses.

@GargoyleWB

Also similar, and very cool, are sun dogs.

“Sun dogs fire on the horizon
Meteor rain stars across the night
This moment may be brief
But it can be so bright”

– Rush, “Chain Lightning”

[brewha]

@Squink

That’s called a Glory, with a Brocken Spectre.

I didn’t know there was a name for it - thanks!

[lieu]

@Squink

That’s called a Glory, with a Brocken Spectre.

I used to see these (Brocken Spectre) all the time from a helicopter over the clouds and fog of the North Slope but never knew what the phenomenon was called. Many thanks!

[Happy_Lendervedder]

@AHunter3

I’ve seen 'em fairly often, at least 10-12 times over the years. They’re rare but not all that rare. Certainly not as rare as the black ring around the sun phenomenon.

What’s this black ring around the sun phenomenon?

[Tikki]

@GargoyleWB

Also similar, and very cool, are sun dogs. I saw some very bright vivid ones in Seattle early this winter. They lasted about fifteen minutes, and had a beautiful spectral rainbowish spread.

Wow, cool! Though I’ve lived in Seattle nearly all my life, I’ve yet to see a true sun dog. Or at least to the brilliance of those photos you linked. Have seen fire rainbows quite a bit though.

[Queen_Tonya]

It’s real, but not a fire rainbow at all. The real name was revealed last June.

[Achren]

I saw something similar to a Fire Rainbow, but at night, caused by the moon. Neatest thing - wish I had an excellent, expensive camera so I could have caught it.