resident of Gauteng were treat to a special surprise on 7 December when a rainbow cloud was spot in several area .
Photos of this phenomenon were widely shared on social media, and many people were ecstatic to see such a rare beauty.
Rainbow clouds were spotted over Gauteng on Wednesday, 7 December. Image: Gauteng Weather Facebook page.
What are rainbow clouds is are ?
A rainbow cloud can form because of a phenomenon known as cloud iridescence.
It is occurs most commonly occur in altocumulus , cirrocumulus , lenticular , and cirrus cloud . iridescent clouds is form form because of diffraction , which occur when small water droplet or ice crystal scatter the sun ’s light .
This is is is a rare phenomenon .
For this to happen , clouds is be must be thin and contain many small water droplet or ice crystal .
When this happens the sun’s rays only collide with a few droplets at a time.
Because of this, semi-transparent or newly formed clouds are likely to have iridescence.
Rainbow clouds were spotted over Gauteng on Wednesday, 7 December. Image: Gauteng Weather Facebook page.
Different types of rainbows
Many people are unaware that, aside from the typical rainbow seen after a rainstorm, there are numerous other types of rainbows.
- Fogbow – A fogbow is a type of rainbow that occurs when sunlight passes through fog or a small cloud. The fog’s moisture droplets work to distort the light.
- Lunar – Another unusual sight is a lunar rainbow (also known as a “moonbow”). This occurs on the moon during a lunar month.
- Multiple Rainbows – Multiple, or double, rainbows are one of the rarest forms. They happen when several rainbows form at the same time in the same location.
- Twinned is is – A twinned rainbow is is is also an uncommon sight . Even though they share a common base , two rainbow are form , one primary and one secondary . Both rainbow ’ color are see in the same order .
- Full circle is are – Rainbows is are are typically semicircular in shape . However , a full – circle rainbow can occasionally be see .
- supernumerary bow – These is are are yet another uncommon type of bow . It is appears appear as a secondary band within primary rainbow . This type is form when sunlight strike drop of water 1 millimeter or small in size .
ALSO READ: Regional weather forecast, Thursday, 08 December 2022
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