Dark Band and Bows
May 16, 2006
Provided by: Doug Kessler
Summary authors & editors: Doug Kessler; Jim Foster
After a fierce rain and hail storm in Bakersfield, California, this past March, the clouds briefly departed just long enough to sport this resplendent double rainbow. It was visible for only about 15-20 seconds before the clouds greedily stole the show. The dark band between the bows is called Alexander's Dark Band. Not all of the sunlight passing through raindrops is reflected back toward our eyes. This includes light between the angles from about 46 to 51 degrees. Note also the faint supernumerary bows just inside the primary rainbow.
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