2007-03-19 04:11:52 · 3 answers · asked by Hari K 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
We don't see a full circle because the earth gets in the way. The lower the sun is to the horizon, the more of the circle we see. Right at sunset we would see a full semicircle of the rainbow with the top of the arch 42 degrees above the horizon. The higher the sun is in the sky, the smaller is the arch of the rainbow above the horizon.
2007-03-19 04:20:16 · answer #1 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the Earth is blocking the bottom of the rainbow. You need enough elevation that you can see the bottom of the circle as well as the top. You might possibly see the entire circle from near the top of a mountain as well as from an airplane.
2007-03-19 04:18:35 · answer #2 · answered by Bob G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Part of the arc typically would be below the horizon.
2007-03-19 04:14:22 · answer #3 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋