We All Know Rainbows But Have You Ever Seen a Moonbow – A Night Rainbow Lit By the Moon?

Moonbows are best viewed at and around full moon, when the Moon is at or nearest to its brightest phase and is not obscured by clouds. For moonbows to to appear, the Moon must be low in the sky (at an elevation of less than 42 degrees, preferably lower) and the night sky must be very dark. But since the sky is not completely dark on a rising/setting full moon, moonbows can only be observed two to three hours before sunrise, or two to three hours after sunset. And, of course, there must be water droplets (e.g. from rain or spray) in the sky, opposite the Moon. Lunar rainbow over Kihei, Maui, Hawaii, US. Image credit: Arne-kaiser