rainbow They are part of Weather phenomena More recognizable and, at the same time, more elusive than nature. They usually appear when the rain stops and the sun shines again, but their presence is not accidental, it responds to a subtle combination of…Light, water drops Weather conditions have been studied by science for centuries. Far from being a physical thing, the rainbow is Visual image Which depends on the location of the observer and how sunlight enters and leaves the droplets suspended in the air.
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According to international organizations such as Noah (US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and Royal Meteorological SocietyA rainbow is formed when sunlight hits raindrops and breaks down into colors as it passes through them. This process explains its shape and color distribution.
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A phenomenon that cannot be touched
The rainbow does not exist physically: it cannot be crossed or reached. NOAA defines it as a Visual and atmospheric phenomenonIt can only be seen when the sun is behind the observer and the water drops are in front of him. These droplets act as small natural prisms that refract white light and separate the visible spectrum into seven colors.
Experts explain that for this reason… Everyone sees a different rainbow. Its exact position depends on the angle from which the light is shined toward the observer’s eye. A small movement is enough to change the image.
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How it is formed: The optical sequence that produces colors
The structure of the rainbow is explained by three physical processes recognized by science. American Meteorological Society:
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Primary refractionWhen entering the drop, light bends due to the difference in density between air and water.
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Internal reflection: Part of the light bounces off the inner surface of the drop, as if it were a curved mirror.
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Second refraction: Upon departure, the light is deflected again, and there the colors separate permanently.
The angle at which these colors appear is usually between… 40 degrees and 42 degrees– It is what determines the visual form of the phenomenon.
Why is it arc-shaped?
Although from Earth it looks like a perfect semicircle, NASA remembers it The rainbow is actually a full circle. The reason it’s not noticeable this way is simple: the lower half is hidden by the horizon line.
The entire arc can only be seen from a level or from elevated areas, as the drops that generate the lower part of the circle are below the observer.
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Double rainbow and associated phenomena
In some cases, the atmosphere allows the appearance of a second, fainter arc with opposite colors. the Royal Meteorological Society He explains that this effect occurs when exposed to light Two internal reflections inside the drop, which moves the secondary arc to a greater angle and reduces its intensity.
A dark bar known as a dark bar usually appears between the parentheses Alexander’s bandIt is a visual style that has been identified since ancient times.
There are also third and fourth magnitude rainbows, but they are very difficult to record, as multiple internal reflections greatly weaken the resulting light.