Inverted rainbow

[Graham_Wright]

SWMBO is a rainbow freak and spotted one at SBS.

Looking first with sun behind and then sun ahead, I could see none.

"It's up there" she said.

And it was - upside down and short between the arms. Red was towards the sun and it was viewable facing the sun.

My optics days are a long way behind me.

Anyone offer an explanation?

 

[Corribee Boy]

Was it raining at the time?

There are lots of effects, such as parahelia and sundogs, caused by ice crystals in the upper atmosphere. The shape and orientation of the crystals cause the different phenomena, but they're surprisingly common once you're aware of them. I'm sure googling will turn up more info,

I noticed some stunning effects a couple of weeks ago above the Stour, but they didn't show up once I took my polarised sunnies off.

 

[david_bagshaw]

it is the second order, by double refraction.

 

[sarabande]

circumzenithal arc.

 

[PabloPicasso]

painful

circumzenithal arc.

Yes a friend had that done to his son soon after he was born

 

[Thistle]

SWMBO is a rainbow freak and spotted one at SBS.
...
Anyone offer an explanation?

Discussed recently here.

 

[Graham_Wright]

it is the second order, by double refraction.

Don't think so. A double refraction, I believe, produces a bow concentric with the first order bow and is fainter due to its passage round the rain drops.

This one was inverted

 

[Halo]

I saw a circular one from a plane window
Also has anyone else seen a grey "moon - bow" at night??

 

[david_bagshaw]

Don't think so. A double refraction, I believe, produces a bow concentric with the first order bow and is fainter due to its passage round the rain drops.

This one was inverted

dam wrong again!

I think you read the op more carefully !!