Wanderer films spectacular glory in China

The optical phenomenon of a glory (from Glorienschein, note) arises from the backscatter of light by spherical, fine water droplets in fog or clouds. A round, bright area surrounds the observer’s shadow. Its head is in the center of the bright surface, on the opposite side of the sun. This creates an impression similar to that of the saints in icons – hence the name Glory.

The clear surface is distinguished from the surroundings by a colored halo of light. In contrast to a so-called halo, a glory does not consist of ice crystals, but of liquid droplets. The light phenomenon can only be observed in fog and when the sun is low.

Glory is often accompanied by the ghost of Brocken
When there is a thin mist, it is often accompanied by a Brocken spirit. This “appears” when the sun shines behind a mountaineer looking into a layer of fog, mist or clouds. The shadow is not shown on a solid surface, but by individual water droplets.

Air movements cause the shadow, which is usually blurry, to move even if the observer is standing still. This seemingly unique creature can also float – like a ghost – without visible contact with the ground.

Natural phenomenon was first described in 1780
The name Brockengeest goes back to the German theologian and natural scientist Johann Esaias Silberschlag, who observed and first described the phenomenon in 1780 on the Brocken, the highest mountain in the Harz low mountain range in Saxony-Anhalt.