Stunning rainbow cloud caught on video: What to know about the cloud iridescence meteorological phenomenon

By MAX GOLEMBO

Stunning video captured a rainbow in the clouds over Ribeirao Claro, Brazil, in a meteorological phenomenon known as cloud iridescence.

Iridescence like this happens when the clouds are very thin and are made of similar-sized water droplets.

Andre Nassif

The meteorological phenomenon, known as cloud iridescence, was seen above Ribeirao Claro, Brazil.

What you’re seeing, essentially, is part of a corona -- when a rainbow-like halo engulfs the sun or the moon -- and the bands and colors change as the cloud evolves.

Iridescence is most often seen close to the sun.

It's usually spotted when part of a cloud is forming because that's when all of the water droplets have a similar history and similar size.