Type
Mountain, Weather
Area of origin
Harz Mountains, Germany
Area of use
International
A vastly magnified shadow of a person or thing (e.g. aircraft) illuminated against low cloud and surrounded by a coloured halo (the glory). Generally seen if walking a ridge path above cloud in a valley. [C.J.]
Etymology
From the German Brockengespenst “spectre of the Brocken” – First described in 1780 associated with the Brocken, a peak in the Harz mountains of Germany
Example locations
Wetherlam
Lake District
Entry contributors:
Chris Johnson