What caused this red-only rainbow?
![What caused this red-only rainbow?](https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/16145034/PRI_215239287.jpg)
The typical multicoloured rainbow isn’t the only type of rainbow possible, and it all depends on where the sun is in the sky
![](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2KFDX12/a-rainbow-is-shown-sept-10-2022-forming-over-fort-mccoy-wis-the-rainbow-appeared-just-as-the-sun-was-setting-and-as-a-passing-rain-shower-was-taking-place-according-to-the-national-geographic-society-a-rainbow-is-a-multicolored-arc-made-by-light-striking-water-droplets-the-most-familiar-type-rainbow-including-this-seen-by-fort-mccoy-is-produced-when-sunlight-strikes-raindrops-in-front-of-a-viewer-at-a-precise-angle-the-colors-on-a-primary-rainbow-are-always-in-order-of-their-wavelength-from-longest-to-shortest-red-orange-yellow-green-blue-and-violet-2KFDX12.jpg)
A rainbow is shown Sept. 10, 2022, forming over Fort McCoy, Wis
![](https://static.scientificamerican.com/sciam/cache/file/0366ADA2-567C-4FA3-B36FACC2DDC58441_source.jpg?w=1200)
Think You Know Rainbows? Look Again [Slide Show]
![](https://images3.teeshirtpalace.com/images/productImages/in-april-we-wear-red-autism-acceptance-red-rainbow--black-ltb-garment.webp?width=700)
In April We Wear Red Autism Acceptance Red Rainbow Tote Bag
![](https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/gallery/metofficegovuk/hero-images/weather/optical-effects/rainbows/rainbow-over-the-yellowstone-landscape-in-wyoming.jpg/rainbow-over-the-yellowstone-landscape-in-wyoming.jpg/metofficegovuk%3AheroMedium)
How are rainbows formed? - Met Office
![](https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/rainbow-colors-primary-colors-three-paint-bushes-paint-can-dripping-yellow-red-blue-explosion-color-59953174.jpg)
Rainbow of Colors from Primary Colors Stock Photo - Image of
![](http://www.simg.de/rainbows/red_rainbow-20170710-2118-1-1200.jpg)
Red Rainbow on Jul 10, 2017
![](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/FMLqrblLcoxJV7MOjqjhMJErJGk=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/parhelia-in-high-level-clouds-above-ambleside-520260948-58d71d533df78c5162592dec.jpg)
What Causes Rainbow-Colored Clouds in the Sky?
![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/34D8/production/_100782531_gettyimages-470762500.jpg)
Red rainbows: What are they and how are they caused? - BBC Newsround
![](https://atoptics.co.uk/img/blog/red-rainbow-new-mexico-1.png)
Red Rainbow, New Mexico
![](https://parade.com/.image/ar_4:3%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_1200/MTk3ODI4MzcxMjAyMTg4NDYw/colors-of-the-rainbow.jpg)
Colors of the Rainbow: A Simple Trick To Remember - Parade
![](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2MKN9CB/a-rainbow-is-shown-sept-10-2022-forming-over-fort-mccoy-wis-the-rainbow-appeared-just-as-the-sun-was-setting-and-as-a-passing-rain-shower-was-taking-place-according-to-the-national-geographic-society-a-rainbow-is-a-multicolored-arc-made-by-light-striking-water-droplets-the-most-familiar-type-rainbow-including-this-seen-by-fort-mccoy-is-produced-when-sunlight-strikes-raindrops-in-front-of-a-viewer-at-a-precise-angle-the-colors-on-a-primary-rainbow-are-always-in-order-of-their-wavelength-from-longest-to-shortest-red-orange-yellow-green-blue-and-violet-2MKN9CB.jpg)
A rainbow is shown Sept. 10, 2022, forming over Fort McCoy, Wis