Rainbow formation: from Descartes to Venus

Abstract: The mechanism of rainbow formation proposed by Descartes and Newton is analyzed. The parameters of rainbows on Venus are calculated using geometric optics. Assuming that solar radiation is refracted by spherical droplets of aqueous sulfuric acid solution, the angular dimensions of the primary and secondary rainbows are determined as functions of the solution's concentration. It is shown that changes in concentration have the greatest effect on the size of the Alexander's dark band, the angular distance between the primary and secondary rainbows.