Rare 'rainbow rainbow' in the sky

The sky of England suddenly brightened with a brilliant rainbow-colored smile. This " rainbow rainbow " is actually not a rainbow. Instead of being created by raindrops, this is the result of a rare phenomenon of the atmosphere outside the Arctic and Antarctica.

Normally rainbows are created when light penetrates raindrops and radiates to the other side without changing direction, this " shimmering smile " is formed when light shines through millions of tiny ice crystals in thin cloud layer.

Because the crystals are flat and have 6 edges, they divert light and create an inverse curve, called the zenith arc. This phenomenon only occurs when the sun is low, about 32 degrees below the horizon.

" Reverse rainbow " in the sky of England. (Photo: National Pictures)

The curve may appear at any time of the year, and is currently transient in the sky, because clouds often drift very quickly.

Nigel Blackwell, running a business in Copthorne, near Crawley, captured this spectacular spectacle in February this year. Yesterday, he said: " It was a Saturday morning and my son was washing the car when he saw it. He was surprised and called me out. I took the camera and took a picture." 'appeared in the sky for about 5 minutes and then suddenly disappeared '.

"My first impression was that it was a reverse rainbow, but that day was a sunny day. It was interesting to see the sky smiling at me ."

Meteorologist John Hammond remarked: " This is a great example of the zenith. It is rare to see such a clear phenomenon ."

" In addition to appearing in the right place and at the right time, the sun and clouds need to create an angle so that the arc can be shown so clearly below ."