1. A method for providing a realistic simulation of natural atmospheric lighting phenomenon, the method comprising the steps of: providing in a simulation environment an image realistically representing a scene of natural atmospheric lighting phenomenon having an atmosphere, atmospheric particles, and light; providing a viewing position and one or more viewing objects associated with a view of the scene, the one or more viewing objects comprising an element of the image; determining, in real-time, a color of one or more portions of the image to realistically represent one or more visual effects from the natural atmospheric lighting phenomenon of the scene from a change in one or more of the following: the view, the viewing position, one or more viewing objects, atmosphere, atmospheric particles and light; and rendering, in real-time, images of the scene comprising the color of one or more portions of the image to realistically simulate the one or more visual effects.