Imagine reaching the Brocken in Harz National Park, Germany, as clouds slide across the ridge. With the sun behind you, mist ahead—then a giant, haloed shadow forms. Ever wondered why climbers once feared this sight? The phenomenon, called the Brocken spectre, is an eerie natural optical effect that occurs when sunlight projects a person"s shadow onto cloud or fog. Rising about 1,141 metres, the Brocken is the highest peak in northern Germany and has long inspired folklore, including tales of witches gathering here during Walpurgis Night.
The Brocken, Harz National Park, Germany
Today in History
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Chapel of St. Michel on Lake Serre-Ponçon, Hautes-Alpes, France
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March of the flowers
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Summer winds down in the Southern Hemisphere
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Summer winds down in the Southern Hemisphere
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Finding a balance between wetlands and water treatment
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Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
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Terraced rice fields, Yuanyang County, China
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Roques de Benet, Els Ports Natural Park, Catalonia, Spain
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Plum blossoms in China
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Bing Wallpaper Gallery

