Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/12/17
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Adam did you want to know or just tell us that you were in a catamaran off Waikiki ;-) When you tilted your head down, did you also see a frosty drink in your hand? How about sideways, were there attractive ladies in bikinis? I imagine that the same optical rules would apply to the rainbow as to reflections from the ocean's surface. It is after all water reflecting light. In this case refracting it as well. Still I bet someone on the list will provide a more scientific explanation. Cheers Hoppy -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+hoppyman=bigpond.net.au@leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+hoppyman=bigpond.net.au@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Adam Bridge Sent: Monday, 18 December 2006 05:06 To: Leica Users Group Subject: [Leica] Regarding rainbows... So we were out on a catamaran off Waikiki yesterday and everyone started commenting on the gorgeous rainbow over the city - except I couldn't see it. Then it occurred to me that I was wearing polarizing clip-on sunglasses and darn if, when I tilted them down, there was the rainbow. Tilting my head 90 degrees also revealed the rainbow. So why are rainbows polarized? I didn't expect this and I don't think I've ever read that they were. Maybe I'm the only guy on the planet not to know this but in the meantime I thought I'd share. Can anyone explain WHY rainbows are polarized? AB _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information