Partial Rainbow Over Sampacho, Argentina

December 31, 2014

EPOD 22112014 1200px

Photographer: Ariel A. Trepin
Summary Authors: Ariel A. Trepin; Jim Foster

The photo above showing an odd, droopy sky and colorful patches of light on the horizon was captured near Sampacho, Argentina, following a severe springtime thunderstorm. The patches are actually parts of rainbows; the primary rainbow (at left) and the secondary rainbow or outer bow (at right). Note that the dark area of the sky separating these bows isn't storm related. Rather, it's a region absent of sunlight known as Alexander's dark band. In essence, the raindrops along the lines of sight between the primary and secondary bows act to redirect sunlight away your eyes. Photo taken on November 22, 2014.

Photo details: Camera Maker: Panasonic; Camera Model: Lumix DMC-TZ5; Focal Length: 14.2mm (35mm equivalent: 84mm); Aperture: ƒ/4.7; Exposure Time: 0.0020 s (1/500); ISO equiv: 160; Software: Adobe Photoshop CS6 (Windows).