OT: I saw a double rainbow

Yesterday afternoon the sun was about to set and there were dark storm
clouds to our east. I glanced out the front window and saw the most
magnificent rainbow I ever did see! I had time to run into the other
room and grab the camera then go out on the landing to photograph it.
It was so close that I couldn't fit the whole thing into a frame, so I
took a photo of either end, and you can clearly (if faintly) see the

MatSav...

Have you noticed how the colours in the "double" rainbow are a
reflection of the main spectrum? We had a double rainbow here this
morning as well. Strangely, it was to the North of my position - and the
sun doesn't pass to the North! It *must* have been reflected light.

John F. Eldredge...

Yes, rainbows are always (as far as I know) reflected light. Since
the secondary bow is fainter than the primary bow, you generally need
a fairly heavy rainfall in order to see it.

I have also seen a faint rainbow ring around the sun or moon on a few
occasions, when it is shining through a high cirrus cloud (ice
crystals).

double rainbow next to the vivid one.

John F. Eldredge...

Was it raining really hard over in that area? The most intense
rainbows I have seen are on the leading edge of a squall line, one of
the storms where it goes from "no rain" to "total downpour" in a
matter of seconds when the edge of the storm arrives.

MaryL...

The most beautiful rainbow I have ever seen was at Niagara Falls. Of
course, that is exactly the right atmosphere for it.

Joy...

How lovely! Thanks for sharing it with us.