![](https://i.imgur.com/ltgvVFt.jpeg)
An image of a Brocken spectre, where a person’s shadow appears on the fog.
Brocken comes from Brocken or Blocksberg, a mountain in Germany where the phenomenon was first described. In mythology, it was referred to as a mountain guardian, who would guide lost spirits through the fog.
Scientifically, this effect is fairly easy to explain. The sun causes a shadow to fall upon (and through) the water droplets of the cloud or fog. The distance of the shadow makes it hard for the viewer to accurately judge the size and proportions of the shadow. The colorful solar glory often seen around the shadow is produced by light refracting within the water droplets. As clouds shift, the Brocken spectre can seem to flicker and move.
![mymodernmet.com](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fmymodernmet.com%2Fwp%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F06%2Fbrocken-spectre-thumbnail.jpg&hash=e29bbd9585e2b414813ab830e5af2359&return_error=1)
‘Brocken Spectre’ Is a Rare Yet Beautiful Optical Phenomenon of a Radial Rainbow
I can see your (rainbow) halo.