NASA · Space

Supernumerary Rainbows over New Jersey

An unusual display of supernumerary rainbows was observed over the Jersey Shore, USA, following the passage of Hurricane Florence in 2018.

The phenomenon featured at least five vibrant supernumerary rainbows that appeared and faded over a half-hour period.

These rainbows form when falling water droplets are nearly uniform in size, typically less than a millimeter across.

Sunlight not only reflects within these droplets but also interferes, a wave-like phenomenon similar to ripples on water.

The existence of supernumerary rainbows, noted in the early 1800s, provided early evidence for the wave nature of light.

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