Nature has always mesmerized us, with its aesthetic skills. But isn’t there something different about the Rainbow?
Everyone loves it, for how vibrant it makes the sky with a splash of different colors. It’s a treat to the eyes, after the rain that leaves everything lush green and lively again. We witness this beautiful natural phenomenon because of the sunlight that shines through the water droplets and scatters the light in a spectrum to form a rainbow. Scientifically talking, that’s how a prism works.
What fascinating is, that just like the sunlight even the moonlight can create rainbows through reflection and refraction. They are called Moonbows or Lunar rainbows. You will see them once in a blue moon only at a few (lucky) locations around the world.
When can you spot Moonbows?
Since the moonlight is dim, the receptors of our eyes are not able to detect the colors a moonbow produce. This is why moonbows are rare and in fact impossible to see. Only a good camera and prolonged exposure can help you experience this unusual and magical sight. Some specific weather conditions play a significant role in forming moonbows:
– Pitch black, dark night
– A Full moon
– Water droplets in the air present in the direction opposite of the moonlight
All of them, together produce a beautiful bow in the sky.
Where can you spot Moonbows?
‘Waterfalls’
The best place to see moonbows are at waterfalls. Because of the series of water droplets present in the air at a waterfall, moonlight is easily reflected. They are called Spray moonbows. Victoria falls in Africa, Yosemite National Park in California, Waimea in Hawai, Cumberland falls in Kentucky, Plitvice lakes in Croatia are some famous spots for Moonbows.
