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

[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.

[inzilbeth-liz.livejournal.com]

Yes, definitely going to have to write about one now! I'm glad you get to see the moon clearly even in London. I hate it that the permanent orange glow cuts out the stars in cities.

[harrowcatliz.livejournal.com]

Me too. Did some great star-gazing at Robin Hood's Bay in the Summer. One of the good things about this time of year is that my parents live in a village without street lights so I get good views there, apart from the glow over Coventry. The moon travels by my right shoulder as I drive back.

[inzilbeth-liz.livejournal.com]

Robin Hood's Bay at night must be glorious. I'm lucky not to have street lights either, though I do get the distant glow of Swindon on the horizon which I could do without!