Photographs taken from commercial airplanes of optical phenomena in nature, such as rainbows, halos, glories, and sky
colors, are shown to illustrate the variety of optical displays that can be observed by an informed and alert observer from
an airplane window. Observing tips are provided to enhance the probability of seeing certain phenomenon, based on the
time of day, location, and direction of travel of the airplane. Generally, a seat on the sun-ward side of the plane provides
opportunities to observe halos, coronas, iridescence, glitter patterns, crepuscular rays, sunsets and twilight colors, while a
seat opposite the sun provides opportunities to observe glories, rainbows, cloud bows, Earth's shadow, cloud shadows,
contrail shadows, and other shadow phenomena. On flights at high latitudes, (north- or south-) pole-facing seats can
sometimes provide opportunities for viewing somewhat more exotic phenomena, such as noctilucent clouds and auroras.
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