Search｜Photos & Images & Videos｜KYODO NEWS IMAGES INC

Japan: Rare Brocken Spectre with Rainbow Halo Spotted in Japanese Alps

Captured at Karasawa-dake, a peak near Mount Okuhotaka, this video shows a rare Brocken spectre. The climber’s shadow appears on the mist below, clearly surrounded by a bright, rainbow-colored halo. This optical phenomenon occurs when the sun is low behind the observer, creating a ghostly shadow that seems to float in the clouds.

E

China: Miraculous Mirage Makes Ship Appear to Float Above Pier in Zhejiang

Residents in Zhejiang, China, witnessed a stunning mirage on July 27, 2025, where a large ship appeared to float above a pier. The natural optical illusion blurred the horizon, making the vessel look suspended in the sky, leaving onlookers amazed as they filmed the surreal scene.

E

China: Rare Sun Halo Appears Over Ningbo Amid Heatwave

On July 1, 2025, a rare sun halo appeared over Ningbo, Zhejiang, drawing the attention of passersby who stopped to watch. The phenomenon, caused by sunlight passing through ice crystals, occurred amid a heatwave with temperatures nearing 40 °C.

E

China: Rare ‘Buddha’s Light’ Halo Seen on Sichuan Mountain

This breathtaking moment captures a rare “Buddha’s Light” phenomenon encircling a hiker’s head on a mountaintop trail. On June 5, 2025, while hiking Jiuding Mountain in Sichuan, a man recorded a vivid, rainbow-colored halo — known as a “Buddha’s Light” or Brocken Spectre — forming around his head in the misty air. The optical illusion followed him for several meters, creating a surreal, almost mystical scene as he walked through the fog. According to the hiker, Mr. He, the phenomenon appeared not only around his own head but also around those of other nearby hikers, lasting for about 30 seconds. The video ends with the glowing halo slowly fading as the group continued along the mist-covered trail."

E

China: Brief Appearance of Seven-Colored Cloud Amazes Locals in Hubei

This rare moment captures an iridescent cloud spotted in the sky, as a local resident managed to film the fleeting phenomenon before it vanished within minutes. Filmed on May 30, 2025, in Enshi, Hubei Province, China, the video shows a vibrant, seven-colored cloud glowing above the skyline. The shimmering formation, commonly known as a "rainbow auspicious cloud", was visible for only about two minutes before fading into the atmosphere.

E

China: Spectacular Sight Of Six Suns Over Sky In Chengdu

A breathtaking natural phenomenon was witnessed in Chengdu, Sichuan province, southwestern China, on August 18, 2024. Amid the brilliant sunset hues, an extraordinary optical illusion appeared in the orange-red sky, a phenomenon resembling six suns rising amidst vibrant orange clouds. Scientifically known as sundogs or parhelions, the spectacle occurs when sunlight refracts through ice crystals in the atmosphere.

E

China: Rare ‘Buddha’s Light’ Phenomenon Spotted In Qingdao

On Tuesday, June 18, a rare phenomenon called "Buddha's light" was spotted on the top of Wushan in Qingdao, Shandong Province. In China, the optical phenomenon is called "Buddha's light" or "Buddha's halo" and is often observed on high, cloud-covered mountains.

E

US: Beautiful Iridescent Clouds Spotted In Newburyport, Massachusetts

Beautiful vivid iridescent clouds were seen in Newburyport, Massachusetts, on Sunday, June 2.

E

China: Rare Phenomenon Sundog Spotted In Yingshang County, Anhui

A spectacular phenomenon called Sundog was spotted by a photographer in Yingshang County, Fuyang City, Anhui Province on May 19, 2024 around 7 pm. A sundog, also called mock sun or parhelion, is an atmospheric optical phenomenon caused by reflecting and refracting light rays, resulting in the appearance of two virtual images of the sun.

E

Optical phenomenon of cold weather

03.01.2024, Lepna. A sun dog (or sundog) or mock sun, also called a parhelion in meteorology, is an atmospheric optical phenomenon that consists of a bright spot to one or both sides of the Sun. It is caused by the refraction of sunlight by ice crystals in the atmosphere. PHOTO: Marianne Loorents/Virumaa Teataja

E

Optical phenomenon of cold weather

03.01.2024, Lepna. A sun pillar. The effect is created by the reflection of light from tiny ice crystals that are suspended in the atmosphere or that comprise high-altitude clouds PHOTO: Marianne Loorents/Virumaa Teataja

E

Optical phenomenon of cold weather

03.01.2024, Lepna. A sun pillar. The effect is created by the reflection of light from tiny ice crystals that are suspended in the atmosphere or that comprise high-altitude clouds PHOTO: Marianne Loorents/Virumaa Teataja

E

Optical phenomenon of cold weather

03.01.2024, Rahinge. A sun dog (or sundog) or mock sun, also called a parhelion in meteorology, is an atmospheric optical phenomenon that consists of a bright spot to one or both sides of the Sun. It is caused by the refraction of sunlight by ice crystals in the atmosphere. Photo Margus Ansu, Tartu Postimees

E

a double halo, atmospheric optical phenomenon

A double halo (atmospheric optical phenomenon) in Petrikov, near Jesenik, Czech Republic, on January 25, 2020. (CTK Photo/David Pulpan)

E

a double halo, atmospheric optical phenomenon

A double halo (atmospheric optical phenomenon) in Petrikov, near Jesenik, Czech Republic, on January 25, 2020. (CTK Photo/David Pulpan)

E

Circumhorizontal arc observed in Tokyo

A circumhorizontal arc, an optical phenomenon often called a fire rainbow, is observed in Tokyo on July 26, 2020.

E

Circumhorizontal arc observed in Tokyo

A circumhorizontal arc, an optical phenomenon often called a fire rainbow, is observed in Tokyo on July 26, 2020.