CAPTURE THE LUNAR RAINBOW

 Do you know what a lunar rainbow is? As you know, a rainbow can happen when sunlight meets moisture in the air and the moisture refracts, or changes the direction of the light, and the result is a rainbow. Did you know this event can happen at night? This is called a moonbow. Moonbows happen when moonlight meets moisture in the air, and the moisture refracts, or changes the direction of the light, resulting in a moonbow!

How do you see one? Well, moonbows are fairly rare. Why? Because lots of factors must be in place in order to have a chance of seeing one.

• The moon must be in full moon phase, or near brightest phase.

• The moon must be low, near the horizon (42°).

• There must be moisture in the air and the moisture must be opposite of the moon.

• The sky must be dark and without clouds that would block your view or the moon’s

light from reaching the moisture.

You might have the best chance of seeing a moonbow if you can be under these conditions and at a waterfall, because waterfalls provide a constant spray of mist. Just remember, moonbows are fairly rare, but they do occur regularly at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park in Kentucky. You might be able to spot a moonbow near the waterfalls of Niagara Falls, New York and Yosemite National Park in California.

One last thing, some people refer to a moonbow as a lunar rainbow, white rainbow, lunar bow or a space rainbow! Those are a lot of cool names! Now that I have learned about moonbows I want to go explore!

PHOTO CREDIT: YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

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