How rainbows are created

Everyone is familiar with rainbows.  That multicolored band of light arching over the sky on a rainy day is one of the most amazing spectacles in nature bringing cheer and wonder to the admiring beholder.

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  Rainbows are created by light reflecting in water droplets in the air which causes a spectrum of light to appear as a multicolored arch in the sky.  The water droplets are usually falling as rain but a rainbow can be formed in a fountain, a waterfall and sometimes in fog. A rainbow appears to the observer when the sun is behind them and shining onto rain or water droplets in front of them.  The sun must be behind the observer and the water drops in front.    Read more