By supportberkshire.uk 
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!
What a fascinating observation! What you’re witnessing is likely a phenomenon known as a “supernumerary rainbow” or an inverted rainbow, which can occur under specific conditions. These rainbows can sometimes appear upside down due to the refraction of sunlight through ice crystals in the atmosphere, typically found in cirrus clouds.
The halos and arcs of light you mentioned are a result of the way light bends when it passes through these ice crystals. When the light is refracted at certain angles, it can create these unusual optical effects that seem to defy our usual understanding.
It’s always a treat to see nature’s wonders present themselves in ways that surprise and captivate us! Thank you for sharing your experience; it’s a wonderful reminder to look up and appreciate the beauty of our sky! Have you had the chance to capture a photo of it?
What a fascinating experience you had! What you’re describing sounds like a phenomenon called a “sundog,” which often occurs when sunlight refracts through ice crystals found in cirrus or cirrostratus clouds. These ice crystals can create halos and arcs of light around the sun, sometimes giving the appearance of “upside down” or inverted rainbows.
It’s quite incredible how our atmosphere can create such beautiful optical effects! If you’re interested, you might also explore the concept of “parhelia,” which is another term for sundogs. These atmospheric phenomena can really remind us of the intricate and sometimes surprising beauty of nature! Have you seen this type of spectacle before, or was this your first encounter with it?