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Original poster

I’m almost 40 and I’ve only just found out that...

68 replies

SandunesAndRainclouds · 13/12/2018 21:41

....the true reason you can never find the end of the rainbow is because they’re a CIRCLE!

Well, who knew?! Not me obviously.

OP posts:
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Smidge001 · 13/12/2018 22:35

It's not that you can't SEE the end of the rainbow - it's that you can't get to it. As you move closer to it, it moves further away. As a previous poster said, it's to do with the angle you're looking at the water and light.

Although you can see other people driving through the end of the rainbow, from where they're looking, the rainbow is in a different place.

Someone behind you might think you are standing at the end of the rainbow they're seeing, but to you it's still further ahead of you.

SpamChaudFroid · 13/12/2018 22:39

I'd say leprechauns ruin it for themselves poppies.

GoblinsAndGhouls · 13/12/2018 22:41

A rainbow isn't in a fixed spot... It appears in as many different places as there are people viewing it.

M3lon · 13/12/2018 22:46

You can only see a full circle if you are somewhere up in the air..usually on a plane..but occasionally on top of a mountain.

The reason the end of the rainbow is unattainable, is that the colour you are seeing is being reflected (well refracted) off rain that needs to be some distance away from you in order for the angles to work. So as you walk towards it, the rain that is now sending light to your eye is moving away at the same speed.

Getting to the rainbow is the same as catching your shadow, you can't because it moves as you do.

whatamessitallis · 13/12/2018 23:06

The reason the end of the rainbow is unattainable, is that the colour you are seeing is being reflected (well refracted) off rain that needs to be some distance away from you in order for the angles to work. So as you walk towards it, the rain that is now sending light to your eye is moving away at the same speed.

Getting to the rainbow is the same as catching your shadow, you can't because it moves as you do.

That's what I thought - but check out the video above - I didn't think you could see a rainbow at an angle like that?! One end, ends right next to them.

Please can someone explain? I'm confused!!!

StorminaBcup · 13/12/2018 23:11

Mind blown 🤯 (41, feeling like a 4yr Old).

kikashi · 13/12/2018 23:12

What, no crock of gold at the end of the rainbow ? Generations have been duped!

causeimunderyourspell · 13/12/2018 23:15

@GoblinsAndGhouls that explanation has given me some weird existential odd feelings! Grin

GoblinsAndGhouls · 13/12/2018 23:18

@causeimunderyourspell Grin

It does mean that everyone has their own personal rainbow though!!

poppiesallykatie · 14/12/2018 00:49

I know, I understand the physics of light, but seriously they drove through the end of the rainbow. it probably had a spread of 3 metres from when the light started til they were out of it, but 3 metres tops. If a semicircle has to be part of a full circle, then why does a full circle not have to be part of a sphere? We live in a 3-dimensional world? Still not accepting a rainbow is part of a full circle. Maybe the joke is on me?

jessstan2 · 14/12/2018 13:56

I didn't know that and I'm quite old! Only ever seen half or part of a rainbow. They sure are beautiful!

Maybe I'll manage to see a whole one before popping me clogs.

DontCallMeCharlotte · 14/12/2018 14:02

Someone put a film of a full rainbow on social media the other day (not a clue where). It was mindblowing.

7yearslater · 14/12/2018 14:02

I'm 40 and have just found I'm pregnant after 3 years of trying. I've already got a 7 year old. I thought I'd be pleased but I'm absolutely terrified that I've made a huge mistake - to go back to nappies and sleepless nights when our life is so happy and peaceful at the moment. Just looking for some support x

7yearslater · 14/12/2018 14:03

Sorry wrong post!

Skyejuly · 14/12/2018 16:02

I knew it (32)

M3lon · 14/12/2018 18:23

With lenses and other forms of bent glass, and high refractive index materials (like water) you can make it seem like light that came from one place actually came from another. The rainbow will be part of a circle (not necessarily a semi-circle though!) but that shape can appear bent by other optical elements getting in between it and your eye.

The picture of the pencil shows this really clearly. You know where the pencil must be, but that isn't where the light appears to be coming from. The same is the case with the rainbow in the movie. The optical set up is complex, because there isn't just the rain and the sun and the eye, there is the rain the sun, the windscreen the camera. There has also been some lighting effects added and colourizations that are at least in part the cause of some of the splashes of colour seen.

I’m almost 40 and I’ve only just found out that...
M3lon · 14/12/2018 18:23

sorry that was to what

ginghamstarfish · 14/12/2018 18:32

I once saw a rainbow while I was driving, and it appeared that the end of it was moving along the fields to keep pace with me! It looked very odd, never seen it like that since.

Original poster
SandunesAndRainclouds · 14/12/2018 18:33

I’m enjoying all of the science behind the rainbows!

OP posts:
M3lon · 14/12/2018 18:47

ging that is what should happen...the rainbow should move with you, somewhat like the shadow of your car also moves with your car. It does depend on what angle you are driving at with respect to the sun though.

If you go around a bend, the rainbow will be left behind...but if you are driving straight towards the peak of the rainbow (but along the ground obviously) then it should keep going in front of you till you get under the cloud and loose the sunlight.

M3lon · 14/12/2018 18:48

'lose'

Science somewhat better than spelling!

RomanyRoots · 14/12/2018 19:09

We all know there's a crock of gold at the end of the rainbow.
They sing about it alot in Finian's Rainbow. Grin

LadyPasserine · 14/12/2018 21:00

. Wink

MaidenMotherCrone · 14/12/2018 21:07

Here you go.....

LadyPasserine · 14/12/2018 21:43

.