[GUEST ACCESS MODE: Data is scrambled or limited to provide examples. Make requests using your API key to unlock full data. Check https://lunarcrush.ai/auth for authentication information.]

![spann Avatar](https://lunarcrush.com/gi/w:24/cr:twitter::15220806.png) James Spann [@spann](/creator/twitter/spann) on x 570.8K followers
Created: 2025-07-17 14:13:13 UTC

Did you know a rainbow is a full circle?

A rainbow is formed when sunlight is refracted (bent), reflected inside raindrops, and then refracted again as it exits. This process sends light out at a specific angle — about 42° from the direction opposite the sun — forming a cone of light. If you trace all those angles around your shadow, they form a complete circle.

From the ground, the horizon cuts off the bottom half of the circle, so we usually see just a semicircular arc. You can see the entire circle if you’re high up — in an airplane, on a tall mountain, or looking down from a cliff.

Here is a view from an airplane over NE Mississippi last night from David Null

![](https://pbs.twimg.com/amplify_video_thumb/1945849219052429312/img/Tkqr-UbHhdcXFL-m.jpg)

XXXXXX engagements

![Engagements Line Chart](https://lunarcrush.com/gi/w:600/p:tweet::1945849271649280131/c:line.svg)

[Post Link](https://x.com/spann/status/1945849271649280131)