BROCKEN SPECTRE

A Brocken spectre, also known as "Brocken Bow" or "Ghost of Brocken", is a natural optical phenomenon that occurs when a person stands above the upper surface of a cloud, on a mountain or high ground, with the sun behind them. When they look downwards, they see a ghostly circular 'glory' or halo-like effect around their shadow projected down through the mist or cloud below. This is caused by the sun's light being refracted (bent) and backscattered off the tiny water droplets that make up the cloud or mist.

The phenomenon is named after the 'Brocken' peak in the Harz Mountains of Germany where it was first recorded, but it can happen anywhere in the world given the right atmospheric conditions. The eeriness of the Brocken spectre effect has often fuelled mountain folklore.