Headlight Fogbow

November 16, 2004

Double_carheadlight_fogbow_10204

Referred by: Michael Ellestad
Summary authors & editors: Michael Ellestad

The above photo was taken on a foggy night (October 2, 2004) in southern Ohio. Have you ever driven in thick fog and turned on your hi-beams? Visibility is diminished, but when conditions are right, it' s possible to detect fogbows -- basically a nearly colorless rainbow. On this night, I had already noticed that fog was forming, so I started my car, turned on my hi-beams, and was rewarded with a spectacular car headlight fogbow. Inside of the main bow, you can see a rather impressive supernummerary bow. Notice on the outside of the main bow, the large, wide diffuse band and its the secondary bow. It's suggested that you perform this trick in a parking lot or driveway.

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