Belinda McMahon @Stormybeachbelle
'fogbows' are such a rare treat to spot in Australia
Marlene Pointon is still pinching herself at the sheer joy of being in the right place at the right time to see her first fogbow and capture the fascinating phenomenon on camera.
“I looked up and here’s this white rainbow. Oh my god, it was really exciting,” Ms Pointon said.
“I’m 69 years old and I thought I had discovered something fantastic.
“As quick as it appeared it disappeared.”
Ms Pointon turned to the internet to discover the science behind the rare sight.
Rainbow’s ghostly cousin
Also called a ghost rainbow, a fogbow is similar to its colourful meteorological cousin, but instead forms when sunlight interacts with much smaller water droplets contained in fog or mist, rather than rain.
Sunlight is diffracted as well as refracted by the fine droplets, creating a pale and wider arch than a rainbow.
Key points:
- Fogbows form when sunlight interacts with much smaller water droplets contained in fog or mist, rather than rain
- The weather phenomena are also known as ghost rainbows
- While common in other parts of the world, fogbows are less common in Australia due to the country’s close proximity to the equator and the angle of the sun
Source
Jennifer Nichols and Sarah Howells
ABC News
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