光学现象是来自光和物质之间交互结果可以观察到的事件。一般常见的光学现象通常是由来自太阳或月球的光与大气、云、水、灰尘和其他粒子相互作用，在大气层中表现出的光学特性。其它现象可以是人为的光学效果或我们的眼睛产生的内眼学现象（幻影已经被排除）。

有许多现象肇因于光是粒子或波的本性。有些非常微妙，只有通过科学仪器的精密测量才能观察到。一个著名的观测是日食期间观察到星光的偏折，这证明了相对论理论预测的空间弯曲。

日光穿过大气层时，因空气分子发生瑞利散射，所以晴天的天空是蓝色的，夕阳是红色的。

当来自太阳的带电粒子（太阳风）与极地的高层大气中的原子和分子碰撞会产生极光，类似的还有气辉现象。

Optical phenomena are any observable events that result from the interaction of light and matter. See also list of optical topics and optics. A mirage is an example of an optical phenomenon.

Common optical phenomena are often due to the interaction of light from the sun or moon with the atmosphere, clouds, water, dust, and other particulates. One common example is the rainbow, when light from the sun is reflected and refracted by water droplets. Some, such as the green ray, are so rare they are sometimes thought to be mythical. Others, such as Fata Morganas, are commonplace in favored locations.