# Someday we'll find it, the rainbow location **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 3, 2021, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someday-well-find-it-the-rainbow-location/941327 "2021-05-03T21:56:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2021, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someday-well-find-it-the-rainbow-location/941327/21 "2021-05-04T20:12:12Z")
I’ve never seen a full-circle rainbow, but I did once see one of about 190 degrees, dipping into Yellowstone Canyon. Then, a few years after that, conditions were just right that I was able to see a 270-degree one from my ninth-floor apartment. In both cases, the non-sky portions were very faint, because there wasn’t very much depth of rain between me and the ground, but there was enough to be visible. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2021, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someday-well-find-it-the-rainbow-location/941327/22 "2021-05-04T23:21:01Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > There is a icebow which can ring the sun. It also has opposite colors. Yup, along with sundogs, vertical bright yellowish bands on either side of the Sun. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2021, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someday-well-find-it-the-rainbow-location/941327/23 "2021-05-05T11:42:55Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Yup, along with sundogs, vertical bright yellowish bands on either side of the Sun. Sundogs are actually caused by the same ice crystals that form that halo, but when they fall they are oriented by aerodynamic forms so that the axis is vertical. Hence, you only get that portion of the halo to the right or left of the sun. How the sundog appears depends upon the size of the crystal. If the crystals are small, then the sundogs do indeed appear as yellowish-brownish blobs of light. In that case diffraction effects act counter to the prismatic effects of the crystals and re-combine the colors that the prismatic effect spreads out. But if the crystals are large, then the sundogs can look spectacular, with rainbow separations of color that can extend horizontally for quite a distance. > **[Vibrant sundog | Today's Image | EarthSky](https://earthsky.org/todays-image/vibrant-sundog-mar-6-2017/)** > > A sundog - a piece of a larger halo around the sun or moon - is caused by tiny ice crystals in the upper air. > **[What Are Sundogs? Rainbows Beside the Sun!](https://www.almanac.com/what-are-sundogs-rainbows-beside-sun)** > > Ever seen a rainbow-colored patch of light next to the Sun? This is called a Sundog (or Sun Dog)!  Discover this very cool phenononon, also called a "mock sun," how sun dogs form, and what they mean in terms of weather. Plus, how did they get... Incidentally, sundogs are _extremely_ common. They’re about 10 times as common as rainbows. It’s just that most people don’t know about them and don’t look for them, even when they’re multicolored. I’ve had to point them out to people who were oblivious to them. But a lot of the time the crystals are small, and the sundogs aren’t all that prominent. Sundogs are only visible, by the way, up to a solar height of about 40 degrees, and they get less likely the higher the sun gets. Your best chance of seeing one is in the morning or evening, near sunrise or sunset. And at such times they can be spectacular indeed. > **[What Is A Sundog?](https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-is-a-sun-dog.html)** > > A sundog is an atmospheric optical phenomenon. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someday-well-find-it-the-rainbow-location/941327/24 "2021-05-09T06:16:00Z")
Lots of different forms of rainbows. [OpticsPOD Archive - Rainbows](http://www.atoptics.co.uk/opa_bows.htm) ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someday-well-find-it-the-rainbow-location/941327/25 "2021-05-09T16:46:47Z")
> [@rowrrbazzle](#): > > Lots of different forms of rainbows A wonderful collection, but they’re not all rainbows. I see several that are color-separation atmospheric phenomena that are of very different types. For instance, the one with the colored bands closely surrounding the shadow of the airplane is clearly a _glory._ > **[Glory (optical phenomenon)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glory_(optical_phenomenon))** > > A glory is an optical phenomenon, resembling an iconic saint's halo around the shadow of the observer's head, caused by sunlight or (more rarely) moonlight interacting with the tiny water droplets that comprise mist or clouds. The glory consists of one or more concentric, successively dimmer rings, each of which is red on the outside and bluish towards the centre. Due to its appearance, the phenomenon is sometimes mistaken for a circular rainbow, but the latter has a much larger diameter and is... > **[Glory Features](https://atoptics.co.uk/blog/glory-features/)** > > This article explores the captivating phenomenon of glories, an atmospheric optical display that can be observed during sunrise and sunset when sunlight breaks through mist or cloud. Glories are characterized by their delicate, colored rings and the... ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someday-well-find-it-the-rainbow-location/941327/26 "2021-05-09T17:13:31Z")
I think that’s what he meant by “lots of different kinds of rainbows”. So far as I can tell, the common English word for “color separation optical phenomenon” is just “rainbow”. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someday-well-find-it-the-rainbow-location/941327/27 "2021-05-10T11:32:06Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > For instance, the one with the colored bands closely surrounding the shadow of the airplane is clearly a _glory._ Here’s a different thing we see regularly that I call a virgabow but I suspect is simply a short segment of a bog-standard rainbow seen from an unusual perspective. These two pics are from someplace over the southeastern US. > **[20180818 Virgabow.png](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1agjphSX0i0eRqlRVEU1yKe8ImnlvSco5/view?usp=sharing)** > > Google Drive file. > **[20180820 Virgabow .png](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JS1WNhztHlzkkZ-WlY3RQR3QlDIAhI8R/view?usp=sharing)** > > Google Drive file. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someday-well-find-it-the-rainbow-location/941327/28 "2021-05-10T12:31:52Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Here’s a different thing we see regularly that I call a virgabow but I suspect is simply a short segment of a bog-standard rainbow seen from an unusual perspective. These two pics are from someplace over the southeastern US. Without knowing the rest of the setup you can’t say for certain, but it certainly does look like a short segment of a normal rainbow. Here are a few other phenomena that show rainbow-like color separation Sundogs (AKA “Mock Suns” AKA parhelia) – if the crystala are large enough Lowitz Arcs > **[Lowitz Arcs](https://atoptics.co.uk/blog/lowitz-arcs/)** > > The article explores the fascinating atmospheric phenomenon of Lowitz arcs, discussing their formation, characteristics, and the advancements in technology that have allowed for their documentation. It also highlights recent studies that have... 22 degree halo (if crystals big enough) > **[22° halo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/22%C2%B0_halo)** > > A 22° halo is an atmospheric optical phenomenon that consists of a halo with an apparent radius of approximately 22° around the Sun or Moon. When visible around the Moon, it is also known as a moon ring, storm ring, or winter halo. It forms as sunlight or moonlight is refracted by millions of hexagonal ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere. Its radius, as viewed from Earth, is roughly the length of an outstretched hand at arm's length. > Even though it is one of the most common types of halo, t... Circumzenithal arc > **[Circumzenithal arc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumzenithal_arc)** > > The circumzenithal arc, also called the circumzenith arc (CZA), upside-down rainbow, and the Bravais arc, is an optical phenomenon similar in appearance to a rainbow, but belonging to the family of halos arising from refraction of sunlight through ice crystals, generally in cirrus or cirrostratus clouds, rather than from raindrops. The arc is located at a considerable distance (approximately 46°) above the observed Sun and at most forms a quarter of a circle centered on the zenith. It has bee Th... Upper and Lower Tangent arcs > **[Tangent arc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_and_lower_tangent_arcs)** > > Tangent arcs are a type of halo, an atmospheric optical phenomenon, which appears above and below the observed Sun or Moon, tangent to the 22° halo. To produce these arcs, rod-shaped hexagonal ice crystals need to have their long axis aligned horizontally. > The shape of an upper tangent arc varies with the elevation of the Sun; while the Sun is low (less than 29–32°) it appears as an arc over the observed Sun forming a sharp angle. As the Sun is seen to rise above the Earth's horizon, the curved... Supralateral arc > **[Supralateral arc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supralateral_arc)** > > A supralateral arc is a comparatively rare member of the halo family which in its complete form appears as a large, faintly rainbow-colored band in a wide arc above the sun and appearing to encircle it, at about twice the distance as the familiar 22° halo. In reality, however, the supralateral arc does not form a circle and never reaches below the sun. When present, the supralateral arc touches the (much more common) circumzenithal arc from below. As in all colored halos, the arc has its red side... Circumhorizontal arc (AKA “Fire Rainbow”) > **[Circumhorizontal arc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumhorizontal_arc)** > > A circumhorizontal arc is an optical phenomenon that belongs to the family of ice halos formed by the refraction of sunlight or moonlight in plate-shaped ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere, typically in actual cirrus or cirrostratus clouds. In its full form, the arc has the appearance of a large, brightly spectrum-coloured band (red being the topmost colour) running parallel to the horizon, located far below the Sun or Moon. The distance between the arc and the Sun or Moon is twice as far a... Colored halos and arcs occur when light is refracted at least once in an ice crystal or raindrop. You see phenomena without color when either the refracting element is so small that diffraction overcomes the prismatic effect, or when only reflection takes place. Examples of uncolored phenomena are: Mistbows Sundogs with small crystals Sun Pillars Parhelic Circle > **[Parhelic circle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parhelic_circle)** > > A parhelic circle is a type of halo, an optical phenomenon appearing as a horizontal white line on the same altitude as the Sun, or occasionally the Moon. If complete, it stretches all around the sky, but more commonly it only appears in sections. If the halo occurs due to light from the Moon rather than the Sun, it is known as a paraselenic circle. > Even fractions of parhelic circles are less common than sun dogs and 22° halos. While parhelic circles are generally white in colour because they a... Subsun > **[Subsun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subsun)** > > A subsun (also spelled sub-sun) is an optical phenomenon that appears as a glowing spot visible within clouds or mist when observed from above. The subsun appears directly below the actual Sun, and is caused by sunlight reflecting off of numerous tiny ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere. As such, the effect belongs to the family of halos. The region of ice crystals acts as a large mirror, creating a virtual image of the Sun appearing below the horizon, analogous to the Sun's reflection in a ... Subparhelic circle > **[Subparhelic circle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subparhelic_circle)** > > The subparhelic circle is a rare halo, an optical phenomenon, located below the horizon. It passes through both the subsun (below the Sun) and the antisolar point (opposite to the Sun). The subparhelic circle is the subhorizon counterpart to the parhelic circle, located above the horizon. > Located on the subparhelic circle are several relatively rare optical phenomena: the subsun, the subparhelia, the 120° subparhelia, Liljequist subparhelia, the diffuse arcs, and the Parry antisolar arcs. > On th... ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someday-well-find-it-the-rainbow-location/941327/29 "2021-05-10T15:05:47Z")
There was a photo that made the news (or at least “internet news”) a small number of years back that captured multiple forms of rainbow and rainbow-adjacent effects in the one shot. But niw I can’t google it up again. Anyone remember-know where to find it? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someday-well-find-it-the-rainbow-location/941327/30 "2021-05-10T15:14:26Z")
NASA’s APOD doesn’t have the photo I was looking for, but still [some good ones](https://apod.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/apod/apod_search?tquery=rainbow). ---
**Author:** ![Noelq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noelq/32/16438_2.png) [@Noelq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noelq)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someday-well-find-it-the-rainbow-location/941327/31 "2021-05-10T16:08:18Z")
What’s so amazing That keeps us star gazing And what do we think we might see Someday we’ll find it That Rainbow Connection The lovers the dreamers and me All of us under its spell We know that it’s probably magic ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someday-well-find-it-the-rainbow-location/941327/32 "2021-05-10T21:26:01Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Colored halos and arcs occur when light is refracted at least once in an ice crystal or raindrop. You see phenomena without color when either the refracting element is so small that diffraction overcomes the prismatic effect, or when only reflection takes place. Aren’t there also color-separation atmospheric phenomena that are purely diffractive, without any refraction at all? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someday-well-find-it-the-rainbow-location/941327/33 "2021-05-10T23:33:32Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Aren’t there also color-separation atmospheric phenomena that are purely diffractive, without any refraction at all? Interesting question. Technically, the explanation of rainbows, sundogs, and glories are all really due to interference phenomena. If they weren’t, you wouldn’t see supernumerary rainbows, mistbows, or apparently colorless sundogs. And you wouldn’t see glories at all. But there’s an element of refraction in those, as well, that creates the color-determined path length differences. In order to get diffraction phenomena you need short path length differences (since the coherence length of natural sunlight is so short) , yet (to meet your restriction) no refraction responsible. The only example I can think of is _atmospheric diffraction_ around small droplets or fine particles in the atmosphere. You can get diffraction haloes around the sun, or iridescence in clouds. > **[Atmospheric diffraction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmospheric_diffraction)** > > Atmospheric diffraction is manifested in the following principal ways: > However, if the object has a diameter greater than the acoustic wavelength, a 'sound shadow' is cast behind the object where the sound is inaudible. (Note: some sound may be propagated through the object depending on material). > When light travels through thin clouds made up of nearly uniform sized water or aerosol droplets or ice crystals, diffraction or bending of light occurs as the light is diffracted by the edges of the ... > **[Cloud iridescence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_iridescence)** > > Cloud iridescence or irisation is a colorful optical phenomenon that occurs in a cloud and appears in the general proximity of the Sun or Moon. The colors resemble those seen in soap bubbles and oil on a water surface. It is a type of photometeor. This fairly common phenomenon is most often observed in altocumulus, cirrocumulus, lenticular, and cirrus clouds. They sometimes appear as bands parallel to the edge of the clouds. Iridescence is also seen in the much rarer polar stratosp The colors are... [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someday-well-find-it-the-rainbow-location/941327.md?page=1)