Archway to the Light
Double Rainbow arch with anti-crepuscular rays converging towards the Sangre de Cristo Mountains north of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Archway to the Light
A brilliant double rainbow frames bright rays of light during a summer rainstorm in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This rainbow displays some interesting atmospheric optics phenomena that relate to the way sunlight interacts with raindrops and the effects clouds have on shadowing some of the rays from the sun. Standing in front of these impressive arcs felt like entering a gateway into another world.
The Story Behind the Photograph
Beginning in early July, the afternoon skies start to come alive with drama in Northern New Mexico. Thunderstorms form on late afternoons in July and August. This is perfect for rainbow photography! The low sun angle in the west coupled with rain showers bunched up along the Sangre de Cristo mountains to the east are excellent conditions to see rainbows.
Read MoreThe Science Behind the Photograph
There are interesting optics phenomena in this photo. First, there is a double rainbow. In between the primary and secondary rainbow, the sky is dark. The sky is very bright inside the arc of the primary rainbow. There are rays of light converging on the eastern horizon, away from the sun.
Refraction, dispersion, and reflection of light come into play in the formation of the rainbows. Cloud shadows and perspective can explain the converging rays of light.
You can learn more about how rainbows form, and how to find them by checking out this overview article. Yes, you can predict where rainbows will be with just a little understanding of how they form and what angles to see them.
Read MoreLimited Edition Prints
Archway to the Light
(40 x 60 inch print shown here for scale)
“Archway to the Light” (c) Ed MacKerrow / In Light of Nature. ( 8625:5724, 3:2, 20170930__DS_4698_AU )