957 - Supernumerary Rainbow at Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Photograph on Aluminum Print, by Andrew Richard Hara

Title: “Supernumerary Rainbow at Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park”
Photographer: Andrew Richard Hara
Materials: Aluminum print of original photography, vertical, with a pair of wooden mounting brackets on back
Dimensions: 16 x 20 inches

 
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Some science behind the rainbow: Supernumerary rainbows only form when falling water droplets are all nearly the same size and typically less than a millimeter across. Then, sunlight will not only reflect from inside the raindrops, but interfere, a wave phenomenon similar to ripples on a pond when a stone is thrown in. In fact, supernumerary rainbows can only be explained with waves, and their noted existence in the early 1800s was considered early evidence of light’s wave nature. These extra bands are called supernumerary rainbows or supernumerary bands; together with the rainbow itself the phenomenon is also known as a “stacker rainbow.” The supernumerary bows are slightly detached from the main bow, become successively fainter along with their distance from it, and have pastel colors (consisting mainly of pink, purple and green hues) rather than the usual spectrum pattern. The effect becomes apparent when water droplets are involved that have a diameter of about 1 mm or less; the smaller the droplets are, the broader the supernumerary bands become, and the less saturated their colors. Due to their origin in small droplets, supernumerary bands tend to be particularly prominent in fogbows. 

About the Artist:
Andrew Richard Hara’s photography is relentless in the pursuit of capturing distinctive images of planet Earth. Marked by a strong play of forces between environment and human-made structures, his work is grounded in beauty and yet inextricably linked to the contemporary influences of technology. His photographs focus on the contrast of light and darkness, inviting the viewer to inhabit the indescribable, visceral presence between objects and moments. Hilo born and raised, he reconnects with his birthplace and applies his education and expertise to serve the arts and progressive sciences, including environmental conservation and sustainability.