supernumerary rainbow - a photo on Flickriver

© All rights reserved (by me the photographer - Dr. David J. Otway)

Taken Sunday 24-09-06 from our back garden in Cork.

Really best viewed large

Hope you think this works - its tough to get a closeup of a rainbow at the best of times let alone a supernumeray :-)

Info from the wikipedia on Supernumeray Rainbows: Occasionally, another beautiful and striking rainbow phenomenon can be observed, consisting of several faint rainbows on the inner side of the primary rainbow, and very rarely also outside the secondary rainbow. They are slightly detached and have pastel colour bands that do not fit the usual pattern. They are known as supernumerary rainbows, and it is not possible to explain their existence using classical geometric optics. The alternating faint rainbows are caused by interference between rays of light following slightly different paths with slightly varying lengths within the raindrops. Some rays are in phase, reinforcing each other through constructive interference, creating a bright band; others are out of phase by up to half a wavelength, cancelling each other out through destructive interference, and creating a gap. Given the different angles of refraction for rays of different colours, the patterns of interference are slightly different for rays of different colours, so each bright band is differentiated in colour, creating a miniature rainbow. Supernumerary rainbows are clearest when raindrops are small and of similar size. The very existence of supernumerary rainbows was historically a first indication of the wave nature of light, and the first explanation was provided by Thomas Young in 1804.

Oh and there are truly superb rainbow definitions and supernumerary formation explanations for why you see supernumerary bows and double bows here.

Taken in: Ireland / Cork (show map)

Taken on: September 24, 2006

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Sets appears in: • Rainbows • Interestingness more » • Nature at its most beautiful • Getty Artist Picks July 09 « less

Groups appears in: • Rainbows.....PLEASE READ DESCRIPTION BEFORE POSTING • ★~Rainbows~★ more » • Trophy • Fl♥ckr Hearts -- Post 1 & Give 3 Hearts - CLOSED • Global Village 2 - CLOSED • Lunar Village - CLOSED • Wonderful photos for the world Pls post 1-comment 3 CLOSE • Flickr Rainbow Pics • Color Photo Award - GOLD -- **Qualified photos only** • Supernumerary Rainbows • Seasons’ Magic - P1 / A2 - In Love With Fall • Only the best* • True Magic • The Physics Classroom Flickr Group « less

Camera: Fujifilm FinePix6900ZOOM, f/2.8, 23.9mm, ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Fujifilm FinePix6900ZOOM
Aperture:	f/2.8
Focal Length:	23.9mm
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop CS Windows
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