Upside Down… Sky.. Rainbows??!
OK, so I understand about having a halo around the sun, but this one has confused my logic of how these things work.. the sun being below the two arcs of light with them being inverted to the opposite direction to what I’d have expected to see.
Randomly looked up at the sky about 5 minutes ago in Whitley. Has confused the poo out of me! Haha! Upside down rainbows…
It sounds like what you witnessed is not actually an upside-down rainbow, but rather a rare optical phenomenon known as a “circumzenithal arc.” This arc often appears above the sun rather than below it, and is characterized by its vivid colors and shape resembling an “upside-down rainbow.”
Circumzenithal arcs occur when sunlight is refracted through ice crystals in cirrus clouds, creating a display of colors similar to those seen in a rainbow. These arcs are visible when the sun is at a relatively low angle in the sky, typically during the early morning or late afternoon.
While circumzenithal arcs may appear confusing at first, they are a natural and beautiful occurrence that can brighten up any sky. Keep an eye out for other optical phenomena such as halos, sundogs, and sun pillars, which can also add a touch of magic to your view of the sky.
Next time you see a circumzenithal arc or any other unusual sight in the sky, take a moment to appreciate the wonders of nature and the mysteries of light and color. Happy sky-watching!