Astronomy Picture of the Day

   [1]Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                               2025 February 4
     [2]A rainbow is pictured over the sea between an island and land. A
     series of light rays appears to connect the horizon to the rainbow.
          Please see the explanation for more detailed information.

               Anticrepuscular Rays: A Rainbow Fan over Spain
                 Image Credit & Copyright: [3]Julene Eiguren

   Explanation: Yes, but can your rainbow do this? Late in the day, the
   [4]Sun set as usual toward the west. However, on this day, the more
   interesting display was [5]180 degrees around -- toward the east.
   There, not only was a [6]rainbow visible, but an impressive display of
   [7]anticrepuscular rays from the rainbow's center. In the featured
   image from [8]Lekeitio in northern [9]Spain, the Sun is behind the
   camera. The [10]rainbow resulted from sunlight reflecting back from
   falling rain. [11]Anticrepuscular rays result from sunlight, blocked by
   some clouds, going all the way [12]around the sky, overhead, and
   appearing to converge on the opposite horizon -- an optical illusion.
   [13]Rainbows by themselves can be exciting to see, and
   [14]anticrepuscular rays a [15]rare treat, but capturing them both
   together is even more unusual -- and can look both serene and surreal.

              Jigsaw Challenge: [16]Astronomy Puzzle of the Day
                        Tomorrow's picture: comet set
     __________________________________________________________________

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     __________________________________________________________________

    Authors & editors: [28]Robert Nemiroff ([29]MTU) & [30]Jerry Bonnell
                                 ([31]UMCP)
          NASA Official: Amber Straughn [32]Specific rights apply.
            [33]NASA Web Privacy, [34]Accessibility, [35]Notices;
                A service of: [36]ASD at [37]NASA / [38]GSFC,
                         [39]NASA Science Activation
                           & [40]Michigan Tech. U.

References

   1. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
   2. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2502/RainbowFan_Eiguren_3228.jpg
   3. mailto: Julene dot eiguren at gmail dot com
   4. https://science.nasa.gov/sun/
   5. https://byjus.com/maths/180-degree-angle/
   6. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap221127.html
   7. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap101128.html
   8. https://youtu.be/XuEXupOjC8A
   9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spain
  10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow
  11. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anticrepuscular_rays
  12. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap190624.html
  13. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap221227.html
  14. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap200318.html
  15. https://i.pinimg.com/550x/81/21/c0/8121c0291fa14d1fe52b9eb007741cac.jpg
  16. https://www.scigames.org/apps/webjigsaw2/index.php
  17. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap250203.html
  18. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
  19. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/apsubmit2015.html
  20. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/aptree.html
  21. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/apod/apod_search
  22. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/calendar/allyears.html
  23. https://apod.com/feed.rss
  24. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/edlinks.html
  25. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html
  26. https://asterisk.apod.com/discuss_apod.php?date=250204
  27. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap250205.html
  28. http://www.phy.mtu.edu/faculty/Nemiroff.html
  29. http://www.phy.mtu.edu/
  30. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/htmltest/jbonnell/www/bonnell.html
  31. http://www.astro.umd.edu/
  32. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html#srapply
  33. https://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/HP_Privacy.html
  34. https://www.nasa.gov/general/accessibility/
  35. https://www.nasa.gov/privacy/
  36. https://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov/
  37. https://www.nasa.gov/
  38. https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/
  39. https://science.nasa.gov/learners
  40. http://www.mtu.edu/