Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Tornado and Rainbow Over Kansas

NASA ^ | August 14, 2011 | (see photo credit)

[SunkenCiv]

Explanation: The scene might have been considered serene if it weren't for the tornado. During 2005 in Kansas, storm chaser Eric Nguyen photographed this budding twister in a different light -- the light of a rainbow. Pictured above, a white tornado cloud descends from a dark storm cloud. The Sun, peeking through a clear patch of sky to the left, illuminates some buildings in the foreground. Sunlight reflects off raindrops to form a rainbow. By coincidence, the tornado appears to end right over the rainbow. Streaks in the image are hail being swept about by the high swirling winds. Over 1,000 tornadoes, the most violent type of storm known, occur on Earth every year, many in tornado alley. If you see a tornado while driving, do not try to outrun it -- park your car safely, go to a storm cellar, or crouch under steps in a basement.

[SunkenCiv]

[Image Credit & Copyright: Eric Nguyen (Oklahoma U.)]

[SunkenCiv]

The pix on the source's website are even better! Hope some space probe pics resume soon though.

join or quit list APoD 'blog post new APoD topic Astronomy Picture of the Day topic & keyword Astronomy Chat, Bloggers & keyword Science Chat, Bloggers & keyword NASA's APoD archive Calendar 1995-present APoD on your desktop

[FredZarguna]

Tornado Express: It's the only way to arrive somewhere over the rainbow.

[tanuki]

My exact thoughts. I could almost see that darn house floating up.

[posterchild]

Did this happen in a particular town in KS or does KS consist of only this house and small plot of land?

[null and void]

Has anyone seen Toto lately?

[TwoSwords]

What are your thoughts on Elenin?

[FredZarguna]

It is small consolation to the little girl, her dog, and the cow flying madly around in the vortex that a thunderstorm is only a local phenomenon.

[FredZarguna]

It seemed much bigger in person.

But that's just me.

[JoeProBono]

[JoeProBono]

[left that other site]

AWESOME!

[left that other site]

AWESOME!

[jmcenanly]

If you look closely, you will see that this is a double rainbow. This is an almost optimal condition for seeing a rainbow.

[bigheadfred]

Reap the whirlwind.

[TheOldLady]

It’s a shame about Eric Nguyen. He apparently took his wife’s name when they married (assuming from the pictures of him and his two little boys), and he passed away four years ago at the age of 29. It always makes me sad when I hear of a young person dying.

[brytlea]

OH MY GOODNESS!