Why rainbow is always circular ?

Discussion in 'General Science & Technology' started by plakhapate, Nov 8, 2006.

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  1. plakhapate

    plakhapate Banned Banned

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    So far I have seen semicirular and circular rainbows.
    Has any body seen any other shape of rainbow?
    P.J.LAKHAPATE
    plakhapate@rediffmail.com
     
    plakhapate, Nov 8, 2006
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  3. Fraggle Rocker

    Fraggle Rocker Staff Member

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    No, it can't happen. The angle of refraction of the water droplets ensures that the light waves will hit your eye in that pattern. Remember that you're not "seeing" something that is radiating light from the position in which the rainbow appears. You can prove this easily by driving your car very fast and watching the rainbow move relative to landmarks, not only laterally but circularly. You are sensing a pattern of refracted light that hits your retina and your brain interprets it as an object of a certain shape and color at a certain distance.
     
    Fraggle Rocker, Nov 8, 2006
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  5. valich

    valich Registered Senior Member

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    I don't find the explanations adequate, but:

    "The position of a rainbow in the sky is always in the opposite direction of the Sun with respect to the observer, and the interior is always slightly brighter than the exterior. The bow is centred on the shadow of the observer's head, or more exactly at the antisolar point (which is below the horizon during the daytime), appearing at an angle of approximately 40°–42° to the line between the observer's head and its shadow. As a result, if the Sun is higher than 42°, then the rainbow is below the horizon and cannot be seen as there are usually not enough raindrops between the horizon (that is: eye height) and the ground, to contribute." wikipedia

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    valich, Nov 9, 2006
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