Rare Rainbow Clouds Illuminate Skies Across Northern Hemisphere

The polar stratospheric clouds, typically seen only a few times a year, were visible for three consecutive days in an unusual atmospheric display.

Rainbow-colored polar stratospheric clouds, a rare atmospheric phenomenon, were spotted in the skies above Scotland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Alaska, and other parts of the UK.
The clouds, which only form in extremely cold weather, were visible for three consecutive days, a rarity typically seen only a few times a year, most commonly in January.
The clouds are formed by tiny ice crystals that scatter sunlight, creating a rainbow effect in the sky.
These clouds exist at very high altitudes, between 9.3 and 15.5 miles above the surface, higher than where clouds usually form.
The vibrant colors of the clouds were most pronounced just before sunset, remaining fully illuminated for around 20 minutes after sunset due to their high altitude.