A rainbow produced by moonlight rather than sunlight, formed by the same refraction and reflection of light through water droplets but far fainter because moonlight itself is dim reflected sunlight. Moonbows appear essentially colorless to the naked eye, though long-exposure photography readily reveals their full spectrum. They are reliably observed near certain waterfalls, including Cumberland Falls in Kentucky and Victoria Falls in southern Africa, where fine spray and a bright moon combine.
Facts
Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceTo the unaided eye a moonbow usually appears without color, because its light is too faint to activate the eye's cone color receptors 1 PeriodicityRare, because moonlight is far dimmer than sunlight 1 Sources
1. Moon, Lunar Rainbow, Atmospheric Optics
Introduction
To the unaided eye they usually appear, as in the small image, without colour because their light is not bright enough to activate the cone colour receptors in our eyes.
Article body, opening paragraph
Moonbows are rare because moonlight is not very bright.
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