Late Afternoon Rainbow Near Lyon, France

 

Photographer: Jean Francois Coliac
Summary Author: Jean Francois Coliac: Jim Foster

Rainbows perhaps get our attention more than any other optical phenomenon. It's not only the purity of colors but the fanciful shape the colors take as they sweep the sky, especially when the Sun is close to the horizon. This was the case on this early spring day in April 2009, photographed near Lyon, France. The lower the Sun, the grander the arch. Of course, rainbows are only found opposite the Sun (antisolar point). A hint of a double rainbow can be seen in this wide field view.