It’s related to the number of total internal reflections inside a raindrop. The 2nd rainbow is actually inverted, colour wise. The 3rd inverts again, and so is normal. Each reflection loses more light however, so it gets dimmer. 3 is the practical limit in the sky, with our eyes. In the lab version, at least 18 rainbows can be detected, even by undergraduate level students!
Ok this is crazy. I have a picture I took a few years ago of a double rainbow. Never noticed it was inverted, but I went to look and sure enough it is. Now I’m wondering how I didn’t notice before.
And there’s typically three (triple rainbow), you just can’t usually see all three.
Triple? What does it mean?!
Water refracts light according to science!
Triple rainbow, oh my gawd!
It’s related to the number of total internal reflections inside a raindrop. The 2nd rainbow is actually inverted, colour wise. The 3rd inverts again, and so is normal. Each reflection loses more light however, so it gets dimmer. 3 is the practical limit in the sky, with our eyes. In the lab version, at least 18 rainbows can be detected, even by undergraduate level students!
Ok this is crazy. I have a picture I took a few years ago of a double rainbow. Never noticed it was inverted, but I went to look and sure enough it is. Now I’m wondering how I didn’t notice before.
Theoretically infinite rainbows.
Not infinite. Eventually they begin to overlap and are no longer distinct rainbows.
Aren’t there actually 5, with the other two being on the opposite side of the viewer from the main 3?
I don’t think there is a limit, it’s just that each one is significantly less visible. It’s all to do with the number of bounces within the rain drop.
IIRC rings 1 and 4 are towards the sun.
In cold climates you can also get sun halos where the position depends on the shape of the ice crystals in the air.