A tiny rainbow is often a fogbow, which is essentially a rainbow formed by very small water droplets. These tiny droplets diffract light extensively, giving the fogbow unique characteristics compared to a typical rainbow.
Understanding Fogbows
Fogbows share the same formation process as rainbows, but the key difference lies in the size of the water droplets involved.
Key Differences
| Feature | Rainbow | Fogbow |
|---|---|---|
| Water Droplet Size | Larger | Much smaller |
| Appearance | Vivid colors | Almost white with faint colors |
| Color Distribution | Clear color separation | Reds on the outside, blues inside |
| Additional Bands | Rarely visible | Supernumerary bands often discerned |
Characteristics of Fogbows
According to provided information, fogbows exhibit the following characteristics:
- Color: They are almost white in appearance due to diffraction by the small water droplets. The colors are faint, with reds typically found on the outside and blues on the inside.
- Formation: They form similarly to rainbows, through the refraction and reflection of light within water droplets.
- Supernumerary Bands: Often, one or more broad supernumerary bands can be seen inside the inner edge of the fogbow. These are interference patterns that enhance the subtle beauty of the bow.
Why are they white?
The tiny water droplets in fog diffract light significantly more than the larger raindrops in rain. This diffraction blurs the colors, causing them to overlap and resulting in a predominantly white or whitish appearance.
Where can you see a fogbow?
- Foggy Areas: Obviously, areas prone to fog are prime locations.
- Mountainous Regions: Mountain tops where clouds form frequently.
- Coastal Regions: Coastal fog can produce fogbows.
- Very humid areas: High humidity and small droplets can contribute to fogbow formation.
