If you are in a window seat on a plane and you glance out the window at the right time, you may see the shadow of the plane surrounded by a more-or-less full-circle rainbow. You can read up on the optical phenomenon of the “glory” (a lousy name for it, I think) on reference sites. You need to be above the clouds, and the sun needs to be at a good angle above you on the other side of the plane. (If you’re flying east, be in an A seat, and if you’re flying west, be in an F seat.)

You can read up on them at reference sites if you’d like, obviously, but long story short, they’re pretty and ultimately it’s like any rainbow — the sun is on one side, the water droplets are on the other, and we’re in the middle. I’d rather see what’s going on at ground level, but if it’s an overcast day when I’m flying, I’ll watch for glories to keep my interest up.

January 29, 2023. Samsung S24+ cell phone, 6mm focal length (35mm equivalent: 28mm), f/2, 1/640, ISO 25.