RAINBOWS

Since most raindrops are spherical in nature, the rainbow is most to more light in that location. Beyond the rainbow there is not as much
often seen as an arc or semicircle. The rainbow is in fact also spherical in reflection of light, which causes a darker sky. During a double rainbow,
nature, but due to the earth and other objects’ blocking of the sunrays, we rainbow strength rays reflect through the water at a greater angle as well
can only view part of the light’s reflection. The closer to sunset, the more as at the normal angle. This results in a darkened area between the two

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ne of the world’s most breathtaking natural beauties is the sight rainbow is visible. If it is near noon, we cannot view much of a rainbow rainbows.
of a rainbow. Used throughout proverbs and childhood stories, because the sun is directly overhead. The sun’s location also affects the The quality of the rainbow (color definition) depends on the size of the
rainbows have a mystical and magical appeal. Although this visibility of rainbows. When viewing a rainbow, you will notice that the raindrops. The larger the raindrops, the brighter and more pure the colors
spectrum of light is inspiring to many, its explanation is rather simple. sun is always behind you and that the arc or middle of the rainbow is of the rainbow. When light hits smaller drops, the rays are scattered and
The formation of a rainbow was first studied and documented by Rene always in the opposite direction of the sun, with rain falling in the same become weaker. More reflections are produced, which when overlapping
Descartes in 1637. He conducted an experiment studying how light direction as the rainbow. produce a nearly white or clear vision to the eye. This also lends to the
reacts when shone upon a drop of water. He discovered that when a ray Sunlight appears white to the eye but is actually made up of a range explanation of why we mainly see rainbows in the spring and summer
of light goes through a raindrop, that light is refracted or bent, reflected of colors. When light is refracted through a raindrop, the amount of the versus the winter. During the winter, raindrops freeze into ice particles,
back by the arc or mirror-like surface of a droplet, and then refracted back refraction is the deciding factor as to which color is viewed by the naked which still scatter light but in a different way.
out of the drop. This is the point at which we view the division of light or eye. The band of colors seen in a rainbow is actually the reflection and Because of the distribution of light and the angles involved in
rainbow. refraction of many raindrops. producing and viewing a rainbow, the same rainbow can never be seen
The rainbow normally seen is called the primary rainbow. However, by two different people. If the conditions causing the rainbow to appear
it is possible for two internal reflections to appear causing a second or produce enough reflection, that is close to the same location (angle), two
Light refracted entering drop double rainbow. This occurs when the rays from light exit the raindrop people will be able to see similar rainbows. The only known means to see
at a greater angle, causing a second, mirror image rainbow. Light can be the exact same rainbow is through photography.
Point refracted out Ray reflected reflected from the same drops more than twice, but this is rarely seen.
If you examine a rainbow, you will discover that there is always more Reference:
light within the arc than the outside of the arc. This effect is because The National Center for Atmospheric Research & the UCAR Office of
many small light refractions are being produced that are not rainbow-ray Programs www.eo.ucar.edu/rainbows/
strength. These smaller rays fall underneath or inside the rainbow, leading

Pat Davidson
Pat Davidson
Garrett Mitchell