Double Rainbows

A double rainbow is a secondary rainbow. the secondary rainbow arises from two internal reflections and the rays exit the drop at an angle of 50 degrees° rather than the 42°degrees for the red primary bow. Blue light emerges at an even larger angle of 53 degrees°. his effect produces a secondary rainbow that has its colors reversed compared to the primary.

The secondary rainbow is about 10° further out from the antisolar point than the pimary bow, is about twice as wide, and has its colors reversed.

The light of the secondary bow is one-tenth the intensity of that of the primary bow, given the same viewing conditions.



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About Rainbows

What is a Rainbow?

Main Facts on Rainbows

What Makes the Bow?

What Makes Up the Colors of the Rainbow?

Different Types of Rainbows

Primary Rainbows


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Reflection Rainbows

Lunar Rainbows


Links

CS255 Computers in El Ed Home Page

Northern Michigan University


P. Beauchamp: Pebeauch@nmu.edu