
EarthSky Facebook friend Birgit Bodén wrote from Sweden:
The rainbow color in the mist from the rising sun early this morning…. north of Vittjärv in northern Sweden …
Thank you, Birget!
Notice Birget specifically say this is a “rainbow,” just rainbow colors. It’s not a true rainbow because rainbows are always seen opposite the sun. We asked Les Cowley of the great website Atmospheric Optics how to describe this rainbow-like light. He said:
It’s possibly a corona caused by diffraction by nearby mist droplets.
It might even by produced by pollen (if pollen is still in season in Sweden).
Thank you, Birget, and thank you, Les!
Like what you read?
Subscribe and receive daily news delivered to your inbox.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
More from
Deborah Byrd
View All
Visible planets and night sky guide for October and November
October 26, 2026
How to understand moon phases: 4 tips!
October 25, 2026
Hunter’s Moon falls on October 25-26, with Saturn nearby
October 25, 2026
Cassiopeia and Perseus on October evenings
October 22, 2026
