Moon Phenomenon

[farklemairgle1]

Two nights ago, I saw a breath taking phenomenon. As it has been very unstable weather in Hawaii, we have a lot of atmospheric movement, lots of very high icy clouds.

The moons light and the shape of the quarter disk shown though the high cirrus clouds creating a refraction and a perfect round spectral "moonbow". These colors reflected at night were errie, yet very beautiful, I don't think I have ever seen such a thing. I do not possess photography equipment to capture such a thing but it beared mentioning.

[admin]

That sounds wonderful, I'm surprised no-ones answered you. A 'moonbow' are you a poet Seriously though I can visualise that it must have been awesome.

Did it have colours like a rainbow or was it just hazy refracted light or both

[Carlos_dfc]

Was this 'moonbow' positioned around the Moon, or was it opposite the Moon in the sky.

A true 'Moonbow' is a VERY rare thing to see, and will appear - just like a normal rainbow - exactly opposite the Moon's position in the sky.
Here's a 'Moonbow' - the Moon would be behind the photographer for this pic
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If it was positioned around the Moon, then technically it was a Moon 'Halo', or 'Corona'
These are usually white, but occasionally you can see 'rainbow' colours - a beautiful sight.
A 'Halo' will always appear at 22° away from the Moon - if it is closer than that, it is called a 'Corona'
http://home.hiwaay.net/~krcool/Astro.../PA192767m.jpg

Check out this atmospheric optics site for details of more effects
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