MOONBOW

Moonbow or Lunar Bow.

This image of a lunar bow was photographed by Thomas Thies of Gearhart, Oregon, after the sun had set on December 8th 2003.

The rainbow, which lasted for about 20 minutes, was out over the ocean with the moon rising behind the photographer. The bright yellow lights near the horizon are crab boats.

Just as sunlight produces rainbows during the day, moonlight can produce rainbows at night. They're rare because moonlight isn't very bright. A bright moon near to full is needed, it must be raining opposite the moon, the sky must be dark and the moon must be less than 42degrees high.