7 types of rainbows: Nature's mesmerizing optical phenomena

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BY SADE AGARD

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A primary rainbow is the most common type of rainbow produced by the sun. It occurs when light is refracted or bent as it passes through water droplets in the atmosphere.

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A double rainbow is when two separate, concentric rainbows appear parallel to one another. 

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Unlike double rainbows, rainbow arcs appear to split from a single base.

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Dr. Jenna Crowe-Riddell

Moonbow occurs when light from the Moon is refracted or bent as it passes through water droplets in the atmosphere.

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Fogbow is formed when sunlight passes through the water droplets that make up mist and fog.

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The only type of rainbow covered here that is not multicolored is a monochrome or red rainbow.

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Some rainbows even appear upside down. For instance, a circumzenithal arc, is created when sunlight passes through ice crystals in high-level cirrus clouds.

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