We love rainbows, and we bet you do, too! It feels like magic when you spot one in the sky. But did you know that rainbows are a lot more than just pretty, colorful arches? Sure, there may not actually be a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow (or at least we haven't found one yet), but they've been part of mythology, science, and art for a long time. Learn more about these amazing, colorful natural occurrences.
Water Makes Rainbows Happen
You know that light travels from the sun to the earth. But did you know that when light hits a rain droplet in the sky, it creates a rainbow? With enough rain droplets, you can see a rainbow lighting up the sky. This is why rainbows often form after a storm.
A Rainbow Has No End
Since rainbows are technically an arch of light, they don't have an end — which could explain why we've never found that pot of gold. If you view a rainbow from an airplane in the sky, it looks like a circle of light. From land, you only see half of the rainbow's arch.
You Can't Touch a Rainbow
Since a rainbow is light, you can't touch it. It's kind of like how you can't touch the blue in the sky. It looks pretty, but you can't hold it in your hand.
Earth Is the Only Planet With Rainbows
What do you need to make a rainbow? Light and water, right? Since no other planets are known to have liquid water, Earth is the only planet in our solar system with rainbows. Lucky us!
Hawaii Has the Most Rainbows
If you want to see a rainbow, go to Hawaii. Hawaii is known to have the most and best rainbows on earth. This is due to the sunlight and water that are both plentiful on Hawaii's incredible islands.
A Double Rainbow Is Light Reflected Twice
There's an old YouTube video with a guy crying about a double rainbow and asking what it means, so we're happy to answer the question. It means that light is reflected twice! Double rainbows are more common than you might think. Light has to reflect twice to create a double rainbow. So, when the sun is low in the sky, you'll see more double rainbows.
The band between double rainbows is called Alexander's band, after Alexander of Aphrodisias.
There Are Lunar Rainbows
The sun creates lots of rainbows, but occasionally, the moon does, too. It's called a moonbow. A moonbow occurs when the light of the moon is reflected off of rain. To have a moonbow, you need a dark night coupled with a bright moon, so they are pretty rare.
Fog Creates Rainbows
Ever seen a white rainbow? You aren't the only one. This is actually a fogbow or a ghost rainbow. A fogbow happens when the sun goes through the fog. It reflects and refracts to create an exciting ghost of a rainbow.
A Rainbow Is Always Unique
A rainbow is the reflection and refraction of light. Your eyes perceive light. So, what a rainbow looks like is different for everyone. The rainbow you see and the one your friend sees are different because your eyes see them differently.
You Can Make Your Own Rainbow
Rainbows need water droplets and sun. So, you can create a rainbow in your backyard on a sunny day. Stand with the sun behind you and spray the hose in front of you. Watch for the rainbow. It's an easy science experiment to do on a summer day.
Aristotle Believed Rainbows Were Colored by the Four Elements
Rainbows weren't just crucial to scientists. Philosophers talked about them as well. Aristotle had a theory on rainbows as part of his color theory. He thought the colors were related to the four elements. And since Aristotle was so brilliant, his theory was widely believed until Isaac Newton came on the scene.
Isaac Newton Used a Prism to Prove Rainbows Had Seven Colors
Isaac Newton loved experiments. During an experiment with prisms, he discovered that a rainbow had several colors in it (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet). Since these are the only colors the human eye can see, they are the colors that make up the rainbow.
The Greeks Had a Rainbow Goddess
The Greeks had a rainbow goddess named Iris. She was an Olympian messenger goddess responsible for the sea and sky. Not surprisingly, her mother was a cloud nymph, so Iris was responsible for controlling the rainbow's arc.
The Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow Comes From Irish Mythology
The Greeks weren't the only ones fascinated by rainbows. The Irish were, too. You've probably heard of the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. While you'll never find the pot of gold, this Irish myth tells of a farmer and his wife who chased a pot of gold forever.
There's a Burning Rainbow Bridge in Norse Mythology
You've probably heard of Thor and his life in Asgard. But did you know Norse mythology has a burning rainbow bridge? The Bifröst is the mythical rainbow bridge connecting Earth and Asgard. It's how Thor and his friends come to Earth. Interesting, huh?
Hindu Mythology Says Rainbows Control the Weather
In Hindu mythology, the rainbow represents Indra's bow. Since Indra is responsible for the weather, the bow of this demigod is the weapon for controlling the weather.
Indigenous Australian Mythology Has a Rainbow Snake Creator
In Indigenous Australian mythology, the rainbow has a significant meaning. It represents the Rainbow Snake, the creator of God and Earth.
Christians Believe Rainbows Are a Sign of God's Promise
The rainbow is such a unique feature of Earth; it has made its way into biblical facts. In the Bible, the rainbow is a promise between God and man. The rainbow is the promise that God will not use water to destroy all life again.
It's a Symbol of Hope in Art
Rainbows have been featured in paintings for centuries. Oftentimes, artists use a rainbow as a symbol of hope.
Rainbows Are Super Cool
Rainbows have a fascinating history and a lot of science behind them. Now you know a few fun facts that you can share with your friends. Wow them with your rainbow knowledge.
