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Bruce Murray Space Image Library

A multi-ring glory surrounds an aircraft's shadow

A multi-ring glory surrounds an aircraft's shadow
A multi-ring glory surrounds an aircraft's shadow Glories are often seen from aircraft. Get a seat opposite the sun and watch them ring the aircraft's shadow - or more accurately, where your own shadow would be. These rings are formed when light is scattered backwards by individual water droplets in the cloud. The more uniform the size of the cloud droplets, the more rings you will see. They swell and contract as you travel over clouds with smaller or larger droplets. Philip Laven