User submission

170.3K

Photograper Captures A Once-In-A-Lifetime Shot Of A ‘Horizontal Rainbow’ That Filled The Whole Sky

Fire rainbows aren’t actually rainbows and they have nothing to do with fire, either. Technically known as circumhorizontal arcs, these optical phenomena occur when the sun is higher than 58° in the sky. The other ingredient forming these arcs are cirrus clouds, which are thin, feathery clouds occurring at higher altitudes. The temperature where these clouds exist is low; therefore, they are made of hexagonal ice crystals. When optimally aligned, these crystals act as a prism and that results in refraction that is reminiscent of a rainbow.

There is a popular misconception that such halos are rare. However, their frequency depends on location in particular latitude. In the United States, it is relatively common to see them several times each summer, while the phenomenon is quite rare in mid-latitude and northern Europe. So, for example, the potential for these “fire rainbows” to form in Los Angeles is 5-10 times higher than in London.

More info: Instagram | Official website

Photographer Cessna Kutz captured a magnificent fire rainbow over Lake Sammamish

Photograper Captures A Once-In-A-Lifetime Shot Of A 'Horizontal Rainbow' That Filled The Whole Sky

Image credits: Cessna Kutz

“Witnessed a pretty cool phenomenon out on lake Sammamish today,” Cessna writes on her Instagram upon sharing the mesmerizing shot. “A horizontal rainbow! To me, it was a little reminder to hold onto hope and love instead of fear and panic in these unknown times. Stay safe out there, friends.”

It’s an optical phenomenon that occurs when the sun is higher than 58° above the horizon

Photograper Captures A Once-In-A-Lifetime Shot Of A 'Horizontal Rainbow' That Filled The Whole Sky

Image credits: Cessna Kutz

After the photographer shared the photos, they almost instantly went viral. “I honestly had no idea these photos would make the news,” Cessna shared with one news outlet. “I was just wanting to share a beautiful moment I got to witness. I’m super passionate about photography so I’m grateful that God has used my photos to touch people, not only throughout the nation but throughout the world. It’s boosted my photography business as well as make an impact on people so it feels pretty amazing.”

Here’s what people online had to say

Photograper Captures A Once-In-A-Lifetime Shot Of A 'Horizontal Rainbow' That Filled The Whole Sky

170Kviews

Neringa is a proud writer at Bored Panda who used to study English and French linguistics. Although she has many different interests, she's particularly drawn to covering stories about pop culture as well as history. While not at the office, this Panda enjoys creepy movies, poetry, photography and learning how to play the piano.

Read less »

What do you think ?

POST

Dorothy Parker 4 years ago

So huge! I saw one about 8 years ago. It was a small bright rectangle rainbow floating mid sky and no one seemed to notice it. I had been driving and pulled over to look at it. I got the attention of one woman walking nearby. She smiled and said "Dios." I agreed.

18points

Daria B 4 years ago

Sounds like an excerpt from a novel, or a film. That's cute.

9points

Load More Replies...

Jo Choto 4 years ago

I've never seen this kind of rainbow. Beautiful. The coolest rainbow I have seen is a complete circle lunar rainbow (around the bridge at Victoria Falls).

11points

Lavender Brown 4 years ago

So beautiful 😍 that is so cool!!

9points

Juliana Bryson 4 years ago

Actually that is not a circumhorizon arc, that is a normal rainbow. Circumhorizon arc is one kind of ice halo, that forms in the clouds, so it could never be in front of a landscape like that. This is actually a fragment of a rainbow,and the sun was really high in the sky, just like the one of this picture: https://www.atoptics.co.uk/rainbows/primalt.htm

3points

Emille G 4 years ago

omg !!!...i have seen them about thrice last year in GOA: INDIA.... but very small in size.... and ppl dont really believe them>>>> i do have pics...not very clear as its taken frm behind a glass wall wid a not so good mobile camera..

3points

Emille G 4 years ago

this is it !!! like a floating piece of rainbow !! 20190704_1...bdb845.jpg

5points

Load More Replies...

mermaidgirl960 4 years ago

I wonder if the people where the rainbow is slicing into, could touch it You can't touch a normal rainbow since it's in the sky but one that is physically next to you...

2points

Dorothy Parker 4 years ago

It's really just refracted light. The ice crystals are too small.

1point

Load More Replies...

weatherwitch 4 years ago

So very beautiful 😍😍

2points

Nicky OldfieldDesciple 4 years ago

I often see rainbows that fill up the sky like that in the summer just after sunset . They're really beautiful. I live in Sligo north west Ireland.

2points

Ellie Ragsdale 4 years ago

No, this is God showing his support for LGBTQ+ people.

2points

CR Harvey 4 years ago

I saw one many years ago as a child. Still so vivid in my mind.

1point

Water Bottle 4 years ago

Wow

1point

Bacony 4 years ago

*Insert conspiracy ramblings about gays and the CIA filling the atmosphere with homosexual chemtrails*

0points

Tiffany McBride 4 years ago

God: "This one's on you!"

0points

Aragorn II Elessar 4 years ago

No one’s gonna say anything about the flat earther? Is it just me who’s annoyed by that?

0points

Tomislav Pleše 4 years ago

im under the impression she was joking

0points

Load More Replies...

POST

Dorothy Parker 4 years ago

18points

Daria B 4 years ago

Sounds like an excerpt from a novel, or a film. That's cute.

9points

Load More Replies...

Jo Choto 4 years ago

I've never seen this kind of rainbow. Beautiful. The coolest rainbow I have seen is a complete circle lunar rainbow (around the bridge at Victoria Falls).

11points

Lavender Brown 4 years ago

So beautiful 😍 that is so cool!!

9points

Juliana Bryson 4 years ago

3points

Emille G 4 years ago

3points

Emille G 4 years ago

this is it !!! like a floating piece of rainbow !! 20190704_1...bdb845.jpg

5points

Load More Replies...

mermaidgirl960 4 years ago

I wonder if the people where the rainbow is slicing into, could touch it You can't touch a normal rainbow since it's in the sky but one that is physically next to you...

2points

Dorothy Parker 4 years ago

It's really just refracted light. The ice crystals are too small.

1point

Load More Replies...

weatherwitch 4 years ago

So very beautiful 😍😍

2points

Nicky OldfieldDesciple 4 years ago

I often see rainbows that fill up the sky like that in the summer just after sunset . They're really beautiful. I live in Sligo north west Ireland.

2points

Ellie Ragsdale 4 years ago

No, this is God showing his support for LGBTQ+ people.

2points

CR Harvey 4 years ago

I saw one many years ago as a child. Still so vivid in my mind.

1point

Water Bottle 4 years ago

Wow

1point

Bacony 4 years ago

*Insert conspiracy ramblings about gays and the CIA filling the atmosphere with homosexual chemtrails*

0points

Tiffany McBride 4 years ago

God: "This one's on you!"

0points

Aragorn II Elessar 4 years ago

No one’s gonna say anything about the flat earther? Is it just me who’s annoyed by that?

0points

Tomislav Pleše 4 years ago

im under the impression she was joking

0points

Load More Replies...

Photograper Captures A Once-In-A-Lifetime Shot Of A ‘Horizontal Rainbow’ That Filled The Whole Sky

Photographer Cessna Kutz captured a magnificent fire rainbow over Lake Sammamish

It’s an optical phenomenon that occurs when the sun is higher than 58° above the horizon

Here’s what people online had to say

Games

Neringa Utaraitė

Neringa Utaraitė

Word Search

WordroW

Jigsaw

Crossword

Sudoku

Picdoku

Killer Sudoku

Kriss Kross

Word Flower