• Rare visual scenes appeared in the skies over Indonesia, drawing widespread attention
• The phenomenon, known as cloud iridescence, occurs when light is scattered within water droplets

Social media users shared videos and images of rainbow-colored clouds spotted over areas in Bekasi and Bogor in Indonesia’s West Java province, sparking curiosity and debate about their nature.

One widely circulated clip showed the sky over Jonggol in Bogor, where clouds appeared to shimmer in rainbow-like colors, recorded by a driver while passing through the area.

The scene featured a mostly clear sky with vivid color gradients forming along the edges of the clouds.

Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency later explained that the phenomenon is known as “cloud iridescence,” a natural optical effect caused by the diffraction of sunlight through water droplets or ice crystals in the atmosphere.

The video quickly went viral across social media platforms, with users expressing amazement at the striking view before its scientific explanation was clarified.