Brilliant double rainbow over Jamestown this evening--both 23-degree (main) and 46-degree arcs visible.
Raindrops are actually spherical, not teardrop-shaped. To produce the 23-degree arc light rays are refracted slightly as they enter the raindrop, bounce off the back wall (reflection), and are refracted again back out towards the viewer. For the 46-degree arc they bounce around inside twice before exiting at a greater angle.
Raindrops are actually spherical, not teardrop-shaped. To produce the 23-degree arc light rays are refracted slightly as they enter the raindrop, bounce off the back wall (reflection), and are refracted again back out towards the viewer. For the 46-degree arc they bounce around inside twice before exiting at a greater angle.