Moonbows in March 2023: What is Moonbow & When to look for this Rare Nighttime Phenomenon!
The last full moon of this winter season will appear on the nights of March 6 and March 7, 2023.
On this Full Moon day, keep an eye out for a Moonbow, a rare nighttime phenomenon, if rain is the forecast and you have a little luck.
What is Moonbow?
A Moonbow is a Lunar Rainbow. When the light of the bright moon forms a rainbow at night, the phenomenon is called a moonbow.
A moonbow, also known as a lunar rainbow, appears as an enormous arc in the sky when moonlight is refracted through water droplets in the air, just like a solar rainbow.
Moonbows are far less intense than solar rainbows and typically appear as spooky white instead of the traditional rainbow colors.
A moonbow actually contains all of the colors of the spectrum, but because moonlight is far less intense than sunlight, our eyes have trouble differentiating the different hues.
The colors of a moonbow, however, will be seen in long exposures or on high-speed film if you're a photographer.
The moonbow's size depends on the Moon’s altitude in the sky: the lower the Moon, the larger the moonbow.
The moonbows that biggest happen when the moon is within only an hour of rising or setting.
A Moonbow Is How Rare?
In contrast to a solar rainbow, a moonbow is a much rarer occurrence. In order for a moonbow to appear, a few things must occur:----->
1. The Moon must be visible in the sky and be in or near its brightest phase (full).
2. In the area of the sky opposite the Moon, water droplets must be present. Water droplets in the air may also come from a recent rain shower, a nearby waterfall, or even spray generated by waves crashing on the shoreline.
3. The Moon must be low in the sky, no higher than 42 degrees above the horizon.
If all of these events occur together at the same time, there is a chance that a moonbow will appear.
Look for a moonbow in the hours following sunset or before sunrise since the full Moon is closest to the horizon when it is rising or setting.
Spot a Moonbow - You can now see a Moonbow, too, if the conditions are favorable and you know where to look!