Rather, it is a beautiful example of how light interacts with the atmosphere, creating stunning optical illusions. While the Brocken Spectre is undoubtedly a sight to behold, it is not a supernatural occurrence. These conditions include the presence of mist or clouds with small, uniform-sized droplets, as well as the positioning of the observer relative to the light source and mist. However, this captivating phenomenon can occur in various locations worldwide under specific atmospheric conditions. The Brocken Spectre owes its name to the Brocken mountain in Germany, where it was first observed and documented.

The interaction between the light and mist droplets gives rise to the glorious rings that encircle the observer's shadow, known as the glory.

The droplets act as individual lenses, refracting and reflecting light back towards the observer.

As light passes through the tiny mist droplets, it undergoes diffraction, causing it to spread out and create a halo effect around the observer's shadow.

Light from the sun or another source shines from behind the observer, casting their shadow onto a cloud or mist.

Here's a breakdown of the key elements involved: To further appreciate the intricacies of the Brocken Spectre, it is essential to understand its formation process. This variation in droplet size adds complexity to the formation of the Brocken Spectre and highlights the intricate nature of atmospheric phenomena. The mist droplets situated higher in the atmosphere were noticeably smaller compared to those closer to the ground. The first red ring, typically circular in shape, displayed an irregular radius above and below the head shadow. This size is significantly smaller than the typical range of mist droplets, which typically fall between 10 and 30 microns.Īnother intriguing aspect of this particular mist was its stratification.

The first red glory ring had a horizontal diameter of 13.5º, indicating that the mist droplets were incredibly tiny, measuring only 6.4 microns in diameter. Upon closer analysis of the photograph, scientists discovered fascinating insights about the mist responsible for creating this captivating spectacle. The accompanying three-ring glory appeared larger than usual, adding to the allure of the scene. What made this sighting even more remarkable was that it occurred in very thin morning mist, defying the usual conditions required for such an event. In November 1994, photographer Ken Scott had the opportunity to capture an extraordinary Brocken Spectre image in Snowdonia, Wales.

Let's delve into the details of this mesmerizing atmospheric optics phenomenon. This ethereal spectacle, accompanied by a three-ringed glory, has captivated the imagination of many observers. Have you ever witnessed a ghostly figure looming in the mist? One such enchanting phenomenon is known as the Brocken Spectre. The Brocken spectre is an optical phenomenon which appears when the sun shines from behind someone and casts a shadow upon clouds below.Brocken Spectre Last updated on SeptemBrocken Spectre: A Mysterious Phenomenon Revealed The Brocken spectre continues to fascinate today as an elusive optical phenomenon. In real life, some speculate the phenomenon may have contributed to supposed sightings of Bigfoot and yeti creatures. The figure often appears in literature as a haunting reflection of one's troubled self. They have been mentioned by the likes of Charles Dickens, C.S. As clouds shift, the Brocken spectre can seem to flicker and move.īrocken spectres are often seen at high altitudes in nature, and they have received much attention since first being described in the late 18th century. The colorful solar glory often seen around the shadow is produced by light refracting within the water droplets. The distance of the shadow makes it hard for the viewer to accurately judge the size and proportions of the shadow. The sun causes a shadow to fall upon (and through) the water droplets of the cloud or fog. So how do these rare optical illusions come to be? Scientifically, this effect is fairly easy to explain. It usually appears as a larger-than-life shadow of somewhat triangular shape.

The spectre appears on these clouds below the viewer when the sun is shining behind their back. Due to its height, the peak often extends above low cloud or fog cover. These shadowy figures are named for the Brocken, a mountain peak in the Harz Mountains of Germany.

Brocken spectre liveleak