-
How Are Rainbows Formed?
She finds an article about the science of rainbows and just as she begins to read it she picks up her cup of coffee only to find that it’s empty. Might as well get another cup before she begins to read the article. Rainbows are the stuff of myth and legend. They’re impossible to ignore — these sudden arcs of vivid colors…
-
Rainbows as signs of thank you, hope and solidarity
Elsa comes across an article that was posted almost a year ago. The title catches her eye, so she begins to read it. ‘You might have noticed a handmade motif brightening your neighbourhood windows in recent weeks. Children’s painted rainbows have been popping up in windows across the world as schools close and households…
-
Rainbows in mythology
Elsa can’t believe how much information is out there on the Internet and is surprised to find that rainbows were all in mythology. Now there’s an interesting article. ‘The rainbow, a natural phenomenon noted for its beauty and mystical appearance, has been a favorite component of mythology throughout history. Rainbows are…
-
A rainbow is a multicolored arc
‘A rainbow is an optical illusion—it does not actually exist in a specific spot in the sky. The appearance of a rainbow depends on where you're standing and where the sun (or other source of light) is shining. The sun or other source of light is usually behind the person seeing the rainbow. In fact, the center of a primary…
-
An arial view of a full circle rainbow
‘It’s possible to see the whole circle of a rainbow – but sky conditions have to be just right. Plus, you have to be up high! When sunlight and raindrops combine to make a rainbow, they can make a whole circle of light in the sky. But it’s a very rare sight. Sky conditions have to be just right for this, and even if they…
-
Rainbow Variations
‘Glow - The atmosphere opposite a rainbow, facing the sun, is often glowing. This glow appears when rain or drizzle is falling between the viewer and the sun. The glow is formed by light passing through raindrops, not reflected by them. Some scientists call this glow a zero-order glow. Double Rainbow - Sometimes, a viewer…
-
More rainbow variations
‘Supernumerary Rainbow - A supernumerary rainbow is a thin, pastel-colored arc usually appearing below the inner arch of a rainbow. Supernumeraries are the result of the complex interaction of light rays in an air mass with small, similarly sized water droplets. In supernumerary formation, reflected rays interact in ways…
-
Fun facts about rainbows
‘Fun Rainbow Facts for Kids and Teachers • Each raindrop makes its own rainbow! That’s right every water droplet makes its own rainbow, but it takes millions of raindrops for us to see a rainbow. • A rainbow is actually a full circle. We only see one arch of a rainbow because on the ground we can only see the light…
-
Q & A regarding rainbows
‘Does everyone see the same rainbow? Actually, what makes rainbows so special is that no two people see the same exact thing. Since it all depends on how the light is being bent and reflected back to you, everyone sees something different. Someone who looks like they are standing right underneath it to you will actually be…
-
Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole
Elsa just can’t get that rainbow song from The Wizard of Oz out of her head. As she searches in YouTube the first few lyric lines are playing in her mind. Somewhere over the rainbow Way up high And the dreams that you dream of Once in a lullaby, oh Somewhere over the rainbow Bluebirds fly And the dreams that you dream of…
