Colour in clouds

[CoolhandJo]

I was in the United States a few weeks back.

At about 3pm I looked up and saw some colours (Rainbow style) streaking across two whispy clouds in the sky. It was an awsome sight and other people started snapping cameras also.

Took this with a stock standard Kodak 5meg

Does anyone know what casues this type of colour? All I can think is refraction by the sun on water within the clouds, however it was about 40degC and dry as anything (LA - Universal Studios).

It could be refraction through pollution maybe?

[jjjnettie]

Heyyyy!
Congratulations on capturing your first Sun Dog!
Check out http://cloudappreciationsociety.org/gallery/index.php?x=browse&category=27&pagenum=1

[renormalised]

Ice crystals give you colours like that. The ice crystals act like tiny prisms and refract the light out into its component colours.

It may have been 40 near the ground but at the altitude those clouds would be at, it would've been at least -20 degrees, most likely much colder.

[bloodhound31]

It is rather lovely. I've seen sundogs before and photos never do them justice. They are quite special and you have caught it well Paul.

Baz.