Index / Natural Phenomena / Rainbow
Natural Phenomena
Rainbow
Refracted light arc
Sunlight refracts entering a raindrop, reflects off the back surface, and refracts again on exit — dispersion spreads the spectrum. Every drop at 42° sends red to your eye, every drop at 40° sends violet. A rainbow is therefore a map of angles, not of the sky.
Key specifications
Primary angle
42° from antisolar point
Secondary
51° · reversed colours
Wavelengths
380 – 700 nm
Required
Sun behind · rain ahead
Sheet 006 · Plate 1 of 1 · 1:1 infographic
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