A California Sunset: The Shadow and The Rainbow | Earth Science
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At sunset, an alignment of rainbow and mountain shadow was captured in this remarkable snapshot. The stunning view was recorded from a fire lookout on Smith Peak in the Plumas National Forest near Portola, California on July 13, 2026. Still, near sunset it is no accident that the majestic mountain shadow seems to point to the center of the graceful rainbow arc. Due to perspective and the long line of sight the mountain shadow naturally forms a tapering triangular shape, its apex positioned at the point opposite the Sun on the horizon.
Following thunderstorms in the region, the rainbow arched across the early evening sky with its colorful and characteristic 42 degree arc formed as sunlight is refracted and reflected by the atmospheric water droplets. The geometric center of a rainbow arc lies at the antisolar point. And in this scene from the golden hour on planet Earth, this is also opposite the setting Sun along the distant horizon.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/plumas
California is a state in the Western United States that lies on the Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares an international border with the Mexican state of Baja California to the south.
Release Date: July 18, 2026
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