Rainbow of fire

We have already realized that nature is something incredible and can show us extraordinary phenomena and events with great beauty. In this case, we are talking about a phenomenon that occurs in the atmosphere known as the fire rainbow. Although this name is a little misguided from what it is really showing, it is a phenomenon with relative occurrence in the skies and that generates quite spectacular mosaics. It is also known by the name of circum-horizontal arches. It is a name that resembles more than it is reflecting. The mosaics they form are tremendously colorful. However, the question that is asked more than one is, how are they formed and why?

Well, in this article we are going to unravel all the secrets of the rainbow of fire. We will explain how it is formed and for what reason.

Key features

Although it is a phenomenon that resembles the common rainbow, it is not something that is similar either in the reasons of formation or in its genesis. It is possible that, throughout your life, you have seen it more than once. They are spectacular stripes of different colors but similar to those of the conventional rainbow. These colors are projected thanks to the light that the clouds transmit cirrus clouds. This causes a kind of color projection around a chromatic amalgam that is filtered through the clouds.

If you ever manage to directly observe this phenomenon and photograph it, it will probably give you better photos than the traditional rainbow does. Although it does not have the same reason for formation nor does it look like a real rainbow, It is called a rainbow of fire because it occurs on very dry days. In addition, it does resemble in the chromatic composition and in occurring on drier days. The only effect is that it does not need rain to appear. The effect and appearance they have is that of an incandescent flame that can be seen in the prism of transparent clouds.

Cause of the rainbow of fire

We are going to explain step by step what are the reasons and causes why the rainbow of fire is formed. These circum-horizontal arcs have their genesis due to cirrus clouds. Halos are common in our day-to-day lives and form beautiful scenes in our skies. They are illuminated circles of different colors sometimes and that surround the sun or the moon in some latitudes. On these occasions they can be seen with a visual crown whose interior is darker than the sky that surrounds it. These halos are formed by different games of light within what happens in nature.

Well, when we add the colors of the rainbow to a conventional halo and subtract the blinding effect of the sun or the moon, We can have a circum-horizontal arc or better known as a rainbow of fire. This phenomenon can be observed without problems at all times since the sun is not there so that you can not look at it directly. We know that looking at the sun or around you for a long time can be harmful to our retinas. There are cases of people who have gone completely blind from staring at the sun too long.

This strip of multiple colors is formed at heights and we need some totally inescapable conditions. For one thing, the sun needs to be about 58 degrees above the horizon line. We need a good amount of cirrus clouds in the sky that can scatter light. These clouds are about 8 km high and unfold in long, narrow rows. Thanks to these clouds, landscapes of white threads are generated on the intense blue background. If we add the colors of the rainbow to this beautiful landscape, we will be having something totally incredible.

Nature of cirrus clouds

In order to explain the difference between a conventional rainbow and a rainbow of fire, the nature of cirrus clouds is fundamental. While the first phenomenon is the result of the reflection of sunlight in the drops of rainwater that are still suspended in the atmosphere, circum-horizontal arcs require a dry climate. This of a dry climate is due to the fact that there are some tiny particles of hexagonal ice hidden precisely in the cirrus clouds. Thus, it is so important to know the shape and nature of this type of clouds.

It is thanks to the shape of these tiny ice crystals that the sun's rays can reflect and spread through the cirrus clouds, forming long arcs of colors. Sometimes these arcs are so long that they are able to extend through the entire visual arc of our position. The formation is quite strange and unique for the following reason. To everything we have said, we must add one more factor. It is that the ice particles must be in an almost horizontal position with respect to the relationship of the sun's rays. Otherwise, there was no way to extend this luminosity through the cirrus clouds.

This means that, the vast majority of times we see a rainbow of fire, its duration is very short. These demanding conditions only exist for a time. The sun continues to set and the angle with the ice crystals is no longer the same as to reflect it.

Where can you see rainbows of fire

Now that we have analyzed the training and the reason for it, we are going to explain in which areas of the world and at what time they tend to be more frequent. To see it you need a place with a dry climate and where the sun is 58 degrees or below. If you go to the Nordic countries, you will rarely get to see one of these in full splendor.

One of the best cities to see this is Mexico City or Houston. In Spain we have bad news, we are too far north to see it.

I hope this information serves to learn more about the rainbow of fire.