Moonbows

[inzilbeth]

I was on the road very early this morning, a good hour before the first hint of dawn appeared in the sky, as I had to take two steers to the butcher. It was pouring with rain but the moon was almost a full one and it wasn't obscured by the rain clouds. Suddenly, up ahead, I saw a rainbow, or rather what i thought was a rainbow except of course there was no sun. Then I realised it could only the moonlight which have caused it to form. It's obvious really, but this is the very first time I've ever seen what is apparently called a moonbow, inspite of, over the years, spending a good deal of time outdoors after dark . The photo is a googled one but the beam looks exactly like the one I saw.

It got me wondering just how common or otherwise these things are and how often other people see them.

 

Comments

[shirebound]

I've never heard of that! How wonderful that you got to see something rare and magical.

The moon was amazing this morning.

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

I've never seen a moonbow but you can bet I'll be watching for one from now on should I find the conditions right. And I bet it's rare to get the right combination of rain and clearing and a bright enough moon for it. You've very fortunate!

[julia-here.livejournal.com]

Wow.

I haven't seen one since I was a young child; that was in late winter, and the air was full of ice particles. We were heading home one evening and my parents stopped the truck and had us all get out so we could see it unimpeded by the windshield.

Julia, they were not much for "but it's cold as an excuse.

[wizard42745.livejournal.com]

I have never seen it - but I sure would love to see one

[lissas-elves.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's amazing!! I didn't know this phenomenon and certainly never saw anything like it. Lucky you!

(As a matter of fact, I just a minute ago finished a snip about the first rising of the moon; obviously, the bunny now insists that a moonbow needs to appear in the story. )

[silivren-tinu.livejournal.com]

Wow! I've never seen a moonbow before! I didn't even know something like that exists. I guess it can only happen when the moon is full or almost full - otherwise, I don't think there'd be enough light to cause the rainbow effect. That must have been such a fascinating sight!

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

How beautiful - I had not only not seen a moonbow but I hadn't even realised that they existed.

[harrowcatliz.livejournal.com]

Sounds wonderful but I had never heard of it before either. Definitely plot bunny material. The moon was beautiful tonight too, even in London.

[suzll.livejournal.com]

Oh my word, that is gorgeous! I didn't even know that could happen!

[vilwarien.livejournal.com]

How beautiful. I didn't know about them before either. You can feel very lucky that you saw one.

[estelcontar1.livejournal.com]

That is a most glorious photo. I've never seen a moonbow, and didn't even know they existed. You were sooooooooooooooo lucky to see one.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

That's incredible! I've never heard of anything like that before.