Rainbows are one of the most beautiful natural phenomena that can be observed in the sky. They occur when sunlight is refracted, or bent, through water droplets in the air, creating a spectrum of colors. While rainbows are a common occurrence, some are more impressive than others. One such example is the longest rainbow ever recorded, which was seen in Taiwan in 2017.
When was the longest rainbow recorded?
The rainbow in question was spotted on November 30, 2017, by Professor Chou Kun-hsuan of the Chinese Culture University in Taipei. Chou and his team were observing the sky in an attempt to capture a phenomenon called a “moonbow,” which is a rainbow that occurs at night under the light of the moon. Instead, they were surprised to see a rainbow that stretched across the sky for a stunning 8 hours and 58 minutes, from 6:57 a.m. to 3:55 p.m.
The length of the rainbow was confirmed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which stated that it was the longest ever recorded. The previous record was set in Yorkshire, England, in 1994, when a rainbow was visible for 6 hours.
Rainbow a sign of luck and happiness
Rainbows have long been associated with positivity, hope, and joy. In many cultures, they are seen as a sign of good luck and happiness. For example, in Greek mythology, the rainbow was considered to be a path between the earth and the heavens, which was walked by the messenger of the gods, Iris. In many African cultures, the rainbow is associated with creation, and it is believed that it is a symbol of God’s promise to never again flood the earth.
In Chinese culture, rainbows also hold a significant meaning. They are considered to be a bridge between heaven and earth, and a symbol of good fortune, abundance, and success. According to Chinese mythology, the rainbow is created by the goddess Nüwa (女媧 – ㄋㄩˇ ㄨㄚ), who repairs the sky with multicolored stones after a great flood. In Chinese folklore, it is believed that if a person sees a rainbow and makes a wish, their wish will come true.
The appearance of the record-breaking rainbow in Taiwan may have been seen as a particularly auspicious sign by many. It is not uncommon for rainbows to be interpreted as a sign of good luck and success, and the fact that this rainbow was seen for almost 9 hours may have been seen as an especially positive omen. Many people who saw the rainbow felt a sense of wonder and awe, and it brought a much-needed moment of joy and positivity to their lives.
The science behind the longest rainbow
Rainbows are formed when sunlight is refracted, or bent, through water droplets in the air. The droplets act like tiny prisms, separating the light into its various colors. The different colors of the rainbow, in order, are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. The reason why the rainbow in Taiwan lasted for such a long time is due to the weather conditions on that day. There was a combination of a monsoon front and northeastern monsoon, which caused the air to be humid and the sun to be in a low position in the sky. These conditions allowed for a continuous formation of rainbows throughout the day.
The record-breaking rainbow in Taiwan is not only a beautiful and impressive sight to behold but also a reminder of the incredible natural phenomena that occur in our world. It also shows the importance of scientific research and observation, which can lead to unexpected discoveries. Through studying the science behind rainbows, we can gain a greater understanding of our world and the way it works.
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