Thread: End of the rainbow observed! Explanation?

Originally Posted by omniweasel at wwgha

Okay, I know the burden of proof is on me(and keep the gay jokes to a minimum). but I've been through the end of a naturally occuring rainbow. i have scientifically minded witnesses who say it shouldn't have happened but did. everything i've read says that it is impossible, but the fact that it happened remains the same. i've spent about 3 years trying to figure out how it could have happened but the only thing i can come up with is a Giant prism floating randomly in the sky that just happened to be directing a broken beam of light down on to the road from above the clouds ( they were low on an overcast day, i'm guessing about 5000-7000 feet) my question is; are there any light savvy people on this forum who may be able to help me find some other explanation for this occurence?

Yea yea more importantly :wink: , was there any gold at the end of it?! :-D

If it happens in the right place, such as in a deep valley or canyon, rainbows actually complete their arc shape and form a circle. So, I don't see why a rainbow couldn't simply stop at the ground, if it were in a flat place... But I've never heard an explaination on why you can't find the end of one, so maybe this isn't the greatest answer.

The reason you can't find the end of a (normal) rainbow is that it is basically a mirage or an optical illusion. Light scatters through the water in the air and creates the rainbow effect, but the rainbow itself isn't an object. If you're moving around, it moves with you. As for why you might have a rainbow effect as described in the OP, I'm clueless. I'd believe it if someone explained how temperature/water vapor/etc. can create a prism in the air though.

Originally Posted by MagiMaster

The reason you can't find the end of a (normal) rainbow is that it is basically a mirage or an optical illusion. Light scatters through the water in the air and creates the rainbow effect, but the rainbow itself isn't an object. If you're moving around, it moves with you. As for why you might have a rainbow effect as described in the OP, I'm clueless. I'd believe it if someone explained how temperature/water vapor/etc. can create a prism in the air though.

I'd suggest that it may have something to do with crepuscular rays. It is possible that atmospheric condition were such that the particular ray in question was refracted slightly, leading to a rainbow or spectrum effect. That's my best guess, anyway.

And yes, like you, I am reasonably certain that there is no way for a normal rainbow to have an 'end' - not even in a canyon or ravine.