Atmospheric optical phenomena are visual effects caused by the interaction of light with particles and gases in the atmosphere. Common examples include rainbows, which occur when sunlight refracts and reflects in water droplets, and halos, which are rings of light that appear around the sun or moon due to ice crystals in the atmosphere. Other phenomena include glories, which are colorful rings seen around the shadow of an observer's head, and mirages, which are optical illusions caused by the bending of light in layers of air at different temperatures. These effects highlight the complex interplay between light and atmospheric conditions.