Social media was left awestruck this week as photos of a surreal and vibrant sky phenomenon — the ‘fire rainbow‘ — surfaced online. Captured in perfect clarity, the rare atmospheric spectacle stunned viewers with its iridescent cloud swirls painted in fiery hues of red, orange, yellow, green, and blue. But what exactly is a fire rainbow, and why is it so special?
What is a Fire Rainbow?
🌈 Not a Rainbow, Not Fire
Despite the name, a fire rainbow is neither flame nor a typical rainbow. Officially known as a circumhorizontal arc, this rare optical phenomenon occurs when sunlight refracts through ice crystals in cirrus clouds high in the atmosphere.
📐 Specific Conditions Required
For a fire rainbow to appear, the following criteria must align:
- The sun must be at an elevation of at least 58 degrees above the horizon.
- The sky must contain cirrus clouds, which are thin, wispy, and composed of ice crystals.
- Sunlight must enter the ice crystals at a specific angle to create the prismatic rainbow effect.
Why Did It Go Viral?
📸 Visual Spectacle
The recent viral image shows a dazzling fire rainbow curving upward in the sky, resembling a vivid oil painting on a blue canvas. Naturally, it caught the attention of netizens, amassing thousands of likes and shares across platforms.
🌍 Rare and Uncommon
Fire rainbows are incredibly rare, especially in regions where atmospheric conditions are seldom ideal. Their sudden appearance is often fleeting, making clear, picturesque sightings like this a global fascination.
🎨 Nature’s Art in the Sky
Many viewers commented on how the fire rainbow looked like a brushstroke from a divine palette, blending science with awe-inspiring beauty.
The Science Behind the Magic
🔍 Refraction + Altitude = Fire Rainbow
When sunlight enters flat, hexagonal ice crystals horizontally, it bends (or refracts) at a 90° angle. This bending splits light into its constituent colors — similar to a prism. When enough crystals align properly in the sky, the effect is seen as a wide band of horizontal spectral colors.
⚠️ Why So Rare?
- Requires both high altitude ice clouds and the correct sun angle — a rare combo.
- More common in the mid-latitudes during summer, and nearly impossible near the equator or poles.
Conclusion
The recent fire rainbow sighting is more than just a viral photo — it’s a reminder of nature’s rarest moments, often visible only to those who look up at the right place and time. As science meets beauty, the fire rainbow reminds us how extraordinary our planet can be, even in everyday skies.
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