Light scattering in clouds

Light scattering in clouds occurs when sunlight encounters tiny water droplets or ice crystals. These particles are large enough to redirect the light in different directions, causing the light to spread out and illuminate the cloud. This scattering is responsible for the cloud's appearance and brightness, as well as atmospheric phenomena like halos or glows around the sun or moon. The specific way light interacts depends on the size and type of particles—larger droplets scatter more light, giving clouds their characteristic white or gray hues. In essence, scattering is how clouds disperse and modify sunlight, shaping their visual and optical properties.