Understanding Diffraction of Light and the Silver Lining of Clouds

[FreeZin]

from what I've read .. I am supposed to learn that the silver lining which we see is due to e diffraction of light. but i don't understand how diffraction of light results in e particularly bright parts along e edge of the clouds. shouldn't e light waves spread out? such that it would also cover e 'dark parts' of e clouds? why only e edges? and why is the middle part dark?

 

[cesiumfrog]

I didn't think the "silver lining" was literal?

 

[CraigD]

Yea I'm not sure silver lining's are literal, but I could be wrong. I would assume the shining is similar to a mirage. You see the shine of the mirage because of the diffraction of the light, it gives it that shimmering quality.

CraigD, AMInstP
www.cymek.com