                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                               2025 February 4
   A rainbow is pictured over the sea between an island and land. A series
   of light rays appears to connect the horizon to the rainbow. Please see
               the explanation for more detailed information.

               Anticrepuscular Rays: A Rainbow Fan over Spain
                  Image Credit & Copyright: Julene Eiguren

   Explanation: Yes, but can your rainbow do this? Late in the day, the
   Sun set as usual toward the west. However, on this day, the more
   interesting display was 180 degrees around -- toward the east. There,
   not only was a rainbow visible, but an impressive display of
   anticrepuscular rays from the rainbow's center. In the featured image
   from Lekeitio in northern Spain, the Sun is behind the camera. The
   rainbow resulted from sunlight reflecting back from falling rain.
   Anticrepuscular rays result from sunlight, blocked by some clouds,
   going all the way around the sky, overhead, and appearing to converge
   on the opposite horizon -- an optical illusion. Rainbows by themselves
   can be exciting to see, and anticrepuscular rays a rare treat, but
   capturing them both together is even more unusual -- and can look both
   serene and surreal.

                Jigsaw Challenge: Astronomy Puzzle of the Day
                        Tomorrow's picture: comet set
     __________________________________________________________________

       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Amber Straughn Specific rights apply.
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                      A service of: ASD at NASA / GSFC,
                           NASA Science Activation
                             & Michigan Tech. U.

