moonbow
Lunar light refraction
A moonbow is a rainbow produced by moonlight rather than sunlight.
The phenomenon is rare because it requires bright moonlight—typically a full or nearly full moon—and rain or mist in the opposite sky.
Moonbows appear faint and often colorless to the naked eye, since moonlight is too dim to activate color-perceiving cells: We spotted a pale moonbow over the waterfall.
Curved line segment
- spectrumContinuous range of values
- prismLight-splitting optical element
- refractionWave bending between media
- dispersionScattering across space
diffraction · bands · violet · indigo · blue · green · yellow · orange
Of the moon
- nocturnalActive during darkness
- silveryPale metallic sheen
- glowSteady, soft light
- illuminationProvision of light
reflection · crescent · phases · celestial · luminosity · nighttime · midnight · darkness
Massive African waterfall
Fine airborne moisture
- sprayDispersed liquid droplets
- waterfallDescending river over precipice
- fogLow-lying cloud cover
- precipitationAtmospheric water deposit
humidity · droplets · atmosphere · meteorology · weather · clouds · rain · moisture
Seldom found or seen
- ephemeralLasting very briefly
- elusiveHard to find
- fleetingPassing very quickly
- uncommonSeldom occurring or found
infrequent · sporadic · occasional · exceptional · extraordinary · unique · scarce · once-in-a-lifetime
Visually striking event
- marvelAstonishing thing or feeling
- phenomenonExtraordinary observable occurrence
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
- magicalPossessing supernatural power
enchanting · breathtaking · awe · sublime · mystical · dreamlike · otherworldly · serene
arc
Curved line segment
- spectrumContinuous range of values
- prismLight-splitting optical element
- refractionWave bending between media
dispersion · diffraction · bands · violet · indigo · blue · green · yellow · orange · red
lunar
Of the moon
illumination · reflection · crescent · phases · celestial · luminosity · nighttime · midnight · darkness · twilight
Victoria Falls
Massive African waterfall
mist
Fine airborne moisture
precipitation · humidity · droplets · atmosphere · meteorology · weather · clouds · rain · moisture · dew
rare
Seldom found or seen
uncommon · infrequent · sporadic · occasional · exceptional · extraordinary · unique · scarce · once-in-a-lifetime · bucket list
spectacle
Visually striking event
- marvelAstonishing thing or feeling
- phenomenonExtraordinary observable occurrence
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
magical · enchanting · breathtaking · awe · sublime · mystical · dreamlike · otherworldly · serene · tranquil
- Nightstars, starlight, midnight, night sky, darkness
- phenomenanorthern lights, eclipse, earthquake, solar eclipse, volcanic eruption
- skyclouds, blue sky, cloud, sun, stars
- weather phenomenatornado, wind, hurricane, gust, blizzard
- celestial eventssolar eclipse, lunar eclipse, meteor shower, eclipse, supernova
- light phenomenarefraction, diffraction, spectrum, prism, iridescence