Moonbow

A moonbow (A.K.A. lunar rainbow, lunar bow or white rainbow) is a rainbow produced by the moon rather than the sun. Moonbows are relatively faint, due to the smaller amount of light from the Moon and they are always in the opposite part of the sky from the moon.

For a moonbow to occur , several things must happen - good weather, water temperature, sufficient rising mist, wind speed and direction, water clarity, a clear sky and some moon light. First, the moon must be very close to full and be no more than 42 degrees away from the earth, if not closer. The sky must be as dark as possible and completely clear. There must be some sort of rain falling on the other side of the moon, though sometimes the conditions created by a waterfall are enough to create this stunning vision. It may occur before 2 days on certain Full Moons or any strongly moonlit night.

Moonbows are incredibly unique and rare occurrences, and are very difficult to see with the naked eye. It’s rare to have all of these conditions occur at one time, so there are very few places on earth where a moonbow may be seen.