Top rainbow facts for kids

Some of the most rare and wonderful science facts from all over the world. Keep reading  to find out some facts about our amazing rainbow! A rainbow is a meteorological phenomenon that is caused by reflection, refraction and dispersion of light in water droplets resulting in a spectrum of light appearing in the sky. It takes the form of a multicoloured arc. Rainbows caused by sunlight always appear in the section of sky directly opposite the sun.

Fact #1

A rainbow is a multi-colored arc that forms in the sky.

Fact #2

How do rainbows form? Rainbows are created by both reflection and refraction (bending) of light in water droplets in the atmosphere, which results in a spectrum of light appearing.

Fact #3

The main rainbow colours in order are Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet (the acronym or name ROY G BIV is also a good way to remember these colors as well as their order). Sir Isaac Newton identified the 7 colors of the visible spectrum that together make up white light. And all of which are present in a rainbow in the order ). Legend has it that Newton included indigo because he felt that there should be seven rather than six coloursin a rainbow because of his strong religious beliefs.

Fact #4

These 7 colours in the rainbow are just the main ones. Actually, a rainbow is made up of an entire range of colours, any colour you have ever seen, even colours you haven’t seen! Nobody sees colors the same, our eyes react differently depending on how much light there is. Therefore, some people may see more colors than what you see. This is one of the most amazing factswe've heard. 

Fact #5

In fact, a rainbow is a full circle of light. However, because of most people viewing a rainbowon the ground, we can only see a semi-circle or arc of the rainbow.

Fact #6

A "double rainbow" is where a second, much fainter arc can be seen outside of the primary arc. This is caused by the light reflecting twice inside the water droplets. As a result of this double reflection the colors of the second arc are inverted with violet on the outer edge and red on the inner edge.

Fact #7

No two people see the same rainbow. If someone appears to be standing under a rainbowyou can see, they will see a different rainbow at the same angle but further away.

Fact #8

A rainbow is not an object so it can’t be approached or physically touched.

Fact #9

Rainbows can be seen not just in the rain but also in the mist, in the spray of water from the ocean, fog, and dew, whenever there are water drops in the air and light shining from behind at the right angle.

Fact #10

Rainbows can also be seen during night-time. Moonlight can produce enough light to create a rainbow at night. This is a “lunar rainbow” or “moonbow”. Moonbows are rare because moonlight is not very bright.

Fact #11

A rainbow is not situated at a specified distance, instead it will always be visible to a person at the precise angle freshwater droplets reflect the light which is 42 degrees in the opposite direction of the sun.

Fact #12

A "fogbow" is formed by cloud and fog droplets, they are almost white with very faint colors visible. Fogbows are quite large and much broader than a rainbow. Here're not jokes to be funny, it's the truth.

Fact #13

An old European belief is that anyone passing underneath a rainbow would be changed from a man into a woman or vice versa. The idea that a pot of gold can be found at the rainbow’s end originated in old Europe. In a place called Silesia it was said that the angels put the gold there and that only a nude man could obtain the prize. Unfortunately, scientists says this is impossible to do.

Fact #14

Rainbows are the universal symbol of peace and harmony.

Fact #15

Most rainbows we see will be a "primary rainbow" whereby the red colour can be seen on the outer edge through to violet on the inner edge.