Have you heard of moonshine? They are like rainbows but are illuminated by the moon and not the sun. The moonbow is a fascinating natural phenomenon that creates a circle of colors against the moon by reflecting moonlight onto a drop of water in the air.
Unlike apparent rainbows, moons are faint and often appear white to the human eye due to the moon reflecting less light. The returning Aristotle talked about it in 350 BC. To get their true color, they need clinical trials.
The best view is to see the full moon, when it is clear and the sky is dark. The moon should be low, less than 42 degrees, and the night sky should be completely dark. Although it is not completely dark during a full moon, the moon’s location still remains two hours after sunset.
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Lunar rainbows are rarer than regular rainbows, occurring less than 10% of the time. Their vitality depends on the size of the water drop. Smaller droplets mean less vibrant colors.
Moonbows can be seen near waterfalls such as Niagara Falls, Yosemite National Park, and Cumberland Falls. Victoria Falls, on the Zimbabwe-Zambia border, is famous for its moon showers.
You can view the full moon for about three hours around full moon. Summer nights are best for a long moon because the moon is low in the sky. At other times the moon may last only for an hour.
Use a tripod to capture the hazy moon during rain. Although your eyes cannot see many colors, photography shows the true beauty of the moon.
Captivating lunar aspects, showcasing the wonder of nature in the moon’s serene glow. So be alert and have your camera ready for this beautiful night rainbow.