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Rainbows. They signify hope. Who amongst us is not delighted by the sight of rainbows? Colorful, almost magical. It just gives us a surreal feeling, and to most of us, hope. As they say, "there's always a rainbow after the rain."

Or is there?

Well, not always.

For one, so we can see a rainbow, there must be LIGHT. Next, you must be situated where your back is at the sun and you are facing the rain (or droplets of water in the atmosphere). Another thing, you must be viewing it from the correct angle!

Rainbows are created by the reflection and refraction of light in water droplets in the atmosphere, causing for a spectrum of lights to appear in the sky.

They are a great way to demonstrate that the visible light is composed of a spectrum of wavelengths, each of different colors.

From the ground, we normally see a rainbow as an arc. However, if you have an opportunity to view a rainbow from an airplane perhaps, you may actually see that it is a full circle.

_{Circular Rainbow}

Apart from light dispersion through raindrops or water droplets in the atmosphere, rainbows may also be formed at waterfalls, mists or fountains that are capable of concentrating the dispersed light at angles of deviation of 40-42 degrees relative to the original path of light from the sun.

Rainbows, as they are formed through reflection or refraction of light, are not objects and cannot be touched.

Just remember the name ROY G. BIV :

The series of experiments published by Isaac Newton (1642-1726) gave us our modern understanding of light and colors. Before, people thought that colors are a mixture of light and darkness. His experiments refracting (bending) white light with a prism and dispersing light into its component colors - red, orange, yellow, blue and violet proved this otherwise.

Try these:

1. Fill a glass with water and place over a white piece of paper. Let it sit where the sun can directly shine through the water. You will see the rainbow form on the paper.

2. Do you have a crystal chandelier at home? Or your mom's crystal decor? Let the sun shine directly on these objects which will act as a prism and create tiny beautiful rainbows for you. (Be careful not to break your mom's precious crystals though!)

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Living in a desert country as the UAE, rains and consequently, rainbows, are rare. Being able to sight one is really a treat. Personally, I do not remember seeing one here in a very long while. This one was taken last 2013, originally shared on my Instagram account:

I am now looking forward to the upcoming months wherein we may be blessed with a little rain and who knows, a rainbow sighting that my kids and I can enjoy.

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Sources:
Rainbow Facts for Kids
Wiki-Rainbow
Rainbow Formation
Newton and the Color Spectrum

Images: [1] [2]

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Previously:
❓Question of the Day: Why Do Fruits Have Seeds?

❓Question of the Day: How Does Our Brain Look Like?

_{Credits to @elyaque for the followers and reputation badges, @merej99 for the Community Engagement Badge. Want your own Homesteading, Gardening, Beekeepers, Woodworkers, Dads, Moms, Food Preservers, Preppers badge? Contact @daddykirbs}