![]() ![]() During a full moon, the odds of seeing the bow go up around the falls.Ĭonditions were just right for a #moonbow in Cumberland Falls, KY. The 65-foot tall and 125-foot wide (on average) falls is enough to put enough moisture in the air for the moonlight to work with. Image Courtesy: Kentucky Historical SocietyĪt Cumberland Falls, these criteria seem to come into play more often than usual. ![]() It is likely that the Native people of Kentucky viewed this very phenomenon before early European settlers. The moonbow at Cumberland Falls has been a popular tourist attraction since and before the area was created as a State Park. The moonbow will be highest, relative to the ground, during moonrise and will “shrink” as the moon continues to rise until it is unobservable. The best time for viewing is between dusk and about midnight on nights with a full moon along with the two days before and after. The lunar rainbow at Cumberland falls is one of only two “predictable” moonbows in the world. It takes bright white light to see the entire color spectrum, so most moonbows will be whitish in color or may have a dull rainbow color. Photo Courtesy: Prairie BluestemĪ moonbow appears mainly white in color to the human eye or has a faint rainbow color, due to the lower level of light reflected by the moon. The most important thing is, skies must be clear, or clear enough to not block the moonlight. The moon needs to be full or near full, and there must be water droplets present in the air. The moon must be low in the sky, but unobstructed by terrain or vegetation features. The area has to be away from light pollution as the artificial light will obscure the bow. Moonbows form in very specific atmospheric conditions making them pretty rare. The light is reflected and refracted by water droplets in the air and the bow appears. You’ve probably heard of the Cumberland Falls Moonbow, but what’s the real story behind it? Let’s find out! Photo Courtesy: B Haakenson Photographyįirst, a moonbow forms the same way a rainbow forms but uses the sun’s light reflecting off the moon’s surface (moonlight) as the source. Good news, we have one that happens *fairly* regularly here in Kentucky.
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