Lunar rainbow spotted in Malimono, Surigao del Norte

A moonbow or lunar rainbow was recently spotted in Malimono, Surigao del Norte.

According to Kuya Kim's report on "24 Oras," Tuesday, Jessie Jimenez saw the lunar rainbow on the night of Aug. 20.

Jimenez often takes photos of the night sky, particularly the moon, but he was left astonished when he saw the moonbow for the first time.

A moonbow or lunar rainbow is an optical phenomenon that is formed when moonlight is refracted through water droplets in the air, per Kuya Kim.

Glaiza Escullar, weather specialist from state weather bureau PAGASA, also explained the specific conditions behind the formation of a moonbow.

"Ang observer usually nakatalikod dapat sa moon at tsaka 'yung moon po ay 42 degrees ang angle niya sa horizon. 'Yung kabilang horizon, kailangan mero pong enough water vapor o water droplets, pag enough po 'yung moonlight, usually near full moon or full moon, mas malaki po 'yung posibilidad ng moonbow," said Escullar.

The particular moonbow that Jimenez spotted came after the supermoon blue moon that occurred on Aug. 19.

"Dahil ang location niya po ay pinakamalapit sa earth, mas kita po ng naked eye 'yung moonbow," added Escullar.

A moonbow also often looks more vibrant in long-exposure images. To the human eye, it usually appears faintly white, unlike solar rainbows that look colorful. According to Kuya Kim, this is primarily because moonlight is less intense compared to sunlight.

— CDC, GMA Integrated News