© Claudia Hinz

Brannenburg, Germany

Latitude: 47° 44' 20'' N

Longitude: 12° 5' 18'' E

21 August 2009 1624 (Local Time)
Camera direction: towards ENE

Image P/S code: P.13.5.2

Image I.D.: 4159

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  Low-elevation rainbows

  Rainbows are seen in a part of the sky opposite the light source, which in this case is the Sun. The rainbow arcs are always centred on a point relative to the observer directly opposite the sun, known as the antisolar point. Therefore, with the Sun located high in the sky behind the observer, the antisolar point in this example is located below the bottom of the photograph. For this reason, when the sun is at a high elevation in the sky, rainbow arcs are at low elevation. 

  This photograph from Brannenburg, Germany, looking across the valley of the River Inn, shows a primary rainbow with supernumerary bows. The sky is darker outside the primary bow than inside – a phenomenon known as Alexander's dark band. Higher in the sky is the secondary bow. Note that the colour sequence of the secondary bow is always the reverse sequence of the primary, and that the secondary bow is fainter than the primary.    

  Links in the image description will highlight features on the image. Mouse over the features for more detail.

  © Claudia Hinz
  Brannenburg, Germany
  Latitude: 47° 44' 20'' N
  Longitude: 12° 5' 18'' E
  21 August 2009 1624 (Local Time)
  
  
  Camera direction: towards ENE
  Image P/S code: P.13.5.2
  Image I.D.: 4159
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  Reflection and reflected rainbows

  Rare multiple rainbows are seen in this photograph, taken at Loch na h-Aibhne Ruaidhe on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland, UK, at about 1300 hours on 18 December 2011.

  The original image is on the left, while on the right is a digitally enhanced version with increased contrast and colour saturation. The fainter bows are more clearly visible in the enhanced image, and a total of seven bows can be seen.

  The bows are:primary, secondary, reflection primary, reflected primary, reflected secondary, reflected reflection primary and a very faint reflected reflection secondary.

  Sunlight reflected upwards from the smooth loch (lake) surface before reaching the raindrops was responsible for the reflection bow. The loch was partially frozen, with only a thin layer of water on top of the ice. This prevented waves from forming on the surface of the loch, despite a light to moderate breeze.

  The reflected bows were produced by sunlight reflected from the loch after the sunlight has passed through raindrops. This reflection inverts the rainbow, and the bow centre is then above the horizon.

  The reflected reflection bows were formed when sunlight reflected upwards from the water to meet the raindrops, and the resulting rainbow rays of light then reflected off the water to the observer.

  Links in the image description will highlight features on the image. Mouse over the features for more detail.

  © Edward Graham
  Loch na h-Aibhne Ruaidhe, Isle of Lewis, Scotland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
  Latitude: 58° 2' 15'' N
  Longitude: 6° 43' 3'' W
  18 December 2011 1300 (Local Time)
  
  
  Camera direction: towards NNW
  Image P/S code: P.13.5.5
  Image I.D.: 4695