Mauna Kea Moonbow

Taken by the light of a full Moon on the upper slopes of Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Exactly like a rainbow made by the Sun, this Moonbow was created by small water droplets in the air refracting the EXTREMELY bright Moonlight. I was at an altitude of 12000 feet (3600 m) when I took this shot. Note that you can see the top of the cloud deck in the background of the image.

I have worked on the mountain for several years now and this is the only time I have seen such a phenomenon.

It was a moving sight to see first hand.

=K