Snowbows?

[AndiFlatland]

We all know and love rainbows, and most of us probably know how they are produced - but is there such a thing as a snowbow? Or does the opacity of falling snow prevent the refraction of light through it?

[cubic999]

Where is Michael Fish when you need him aye

[Mamyalynne]

http://www.weathernot...ripts/1999/10/04.html

[vulcan]

here's a snowbow
http://www.freeride.s.../2010/12/IMG_4905.jpg
A couple of years a go I saw a moonbow which are rare and supposedly lucky, I did the lottery but nothing has happened yet.

[jomifl]

The closest thing to a 'snowbow' is a 'sun dog'. These are rainbow coloured vertical bands either side of the sun which occurr when sunlight is refracted through vertically orientated ice crystals. They are called 'sun dogs' because they 'dog' the sun.
http://www.google.co....25TUM62MKq80QW45oHYDg

[jomifl]

That seems to work, sun dogs are not rare, you can see them almost any time there is high hazy cloud.(altostratus)

[jomifl]

Fascinating photo Vulcan. Do you think it could have been caused by melting snowflakes? as that angle of refraction needs spherical prisms.

[vulcan]

I suspect you're right jomifl,melting snowflakes would be the obvious answer. The moonbow I saw is of course created the same way as a rainbow except the light is reflected off the moon.
Incidently when I first saw it I checked the internet, where it stated there are only two places in the western hemisphere where they can be seen,South Africa and Kentucky. Well they're wrong, I saw mine in Northern Ireland !!

[jomifl]

Vulcan I can't think why moonbows should be geographically restricted, all that is needed is a low full moon, some rain in the right place and an observant person. I think I may have seen one once but it could be constructed memory. I will put it on my 'must try and see' list. :-)

[mike11111]

Snowbows?

Didn't she win the X Factor not so long ago?

[seadogg]

Isn't that also known as a ring round the moon?

[jomifl]

Seadogg, I think Vulcan is referring to a genuine moonbow ie. one that you see in the opposite direction to the moon.

[seadogg]

Of course jom, you get the reflection from the concave rear part of the droplet.

[Peter Pedant]

yeah I agree Sundogs - or parhelion
see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_dogs

and also, same article
Wars of the Roses

"The prelude to the Battle of Mortimer's Cross in Herefordshire, England in 1461 is supposed to have involved the appearance of a complete parhelion with three "suns". The Yorkist commander, later Edward IV, convinced his initially frightened troops that it represented the Holy Trinity and Edward's troops won a decisive victory. The event was dramatized by William Shakespeare in King Henry VI, Part 3.[8]"

also hey say, the first speech in Rich III - currently playing in a Leicster supermarket car park - Now is the winter of my discontent made glorious summer.....this glorious sun of York...etc.etc

also refers to the same thing

[mibn2cweus]

Halo/s are sometimes referred to as an 'icebow' - http://en.wikipedia.o..._(optical_phenomenon)