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Rainbow Refraction

Rainbow in fresh water drops is extended by a rainbow in sea water spray below the horizon. The slightly larger index of refraction of salt water causes the radius of its rainbow to be one degree less than that of the fresh-water bow.--Published in October OPN 2010. Photograph taken by J. Dijkema in 1981 in the Pacific Ocean, 500 km SE of Japan © G.P. Können.