From an airplane, a rainbow can look very large, ghostly, and a little eerie, especially if you don't know what you're looking at. Some scientists don't fully understand what forms the "glory," which is often seen along with rainbows from above.
Rainbows and Glories from Above
Instead of the familiar arc we see on the ground, rainbows viewed from an airplane often appear as complete circles. This is because there's no ground to obstruct the view of the full circular shape.
- Complete Circle: The entire 360-degree rainbow is visible.
- "Glory": This phenomenon often accompanies the rainbow, appearing as bright, colorful rings around the shadow of the airplane.
- Size and Appearance: Rainbows seen from airplanes can seem very large and ghostly, even eerie, if you're not expecting to see them.
- Scientific Understanding: The formation of a "glory" is not entirely understood by scientists.
In summary, viewing a rainbow from an airplane offers a unique and sometimes mysterious perspective, showcasing the full circular form and often including the intriguing "glory."