Artificial Rainbows

February 1, 2013 2:42 PM

Michael Jones McKean has figured out how to make rainbows from harvested and reclaimed rainwater. This is the official project website, with images showing it in action, and also the production of the method.

Some additional discussion of this fascinating project.

posted by SpacemanStix (24 comments total)

Mist + backlight = rainbow. Not rocket science, mostly just a matter of making a big enough mist cloud. Color me meh.
posted by doctor_negative at 2:51 PM on February 1 [2 favorites]

Color me meh

Which color? There's a whole rainbow to choose from!
posted by SpacemanStix at 2:53 PM on February 1 [3 favorites]

I love this.
Future hot days will be mitigated somewhat in my compound by an easy cool spray via 80 gallons of water recaptured and continuously re-circulated by way of the existing water/gutter system ... with the rainbow a nice little treat.
posted by philip-random at 2:59 PM on February 1

has figured out how to make rainbows from harvested and reclaimed rainwater.

Pretty sure any kind of water will work.
posted by anazgnos at 3:00 PM on February 1 [5 favorites]

harvested and reclaimed rainwater

On Earth, this is also known as "water."
posted by straight at 3:03 PM on February 1 [26 favorites]

I used to do this with the garden hose. Glad someone else has discovered it.
posted by beagle at 3:06 PM on February 1 [3 favorites]

I'd be more comfortable if it included information on how they are sure they won't breed any legionella prior to aerating all that water. I guess that is what the references to filtering are for, but at that point you are doing water treatment just like any other?
posted by meinvt at 3:07 PM on February 1

I wonder if there's a pot of fool's gold at the end of a fake rainbow.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 3:08 PM on February 1

The Rainbow Project uses a series of high-powered jet pumps and custom fountain nozzles to spray water into the air, creating the conditions needed for a rainbow to appear.

Well, most of the conditions. TFA says that this is timed - At timed intervals, in the morning and early evening.... Unless there's something detecting spectral (i.e. direct, not diffuse) sunlight I'm pretty sure all you have is a fog/rain machine. Still, a pretty cool assemblage. I'm all for more rainbows.
posted by achrise at 3:10 PM on February 1

This is cool, but it needs to be about 20% cooler.
posted by The otter lady at 3:12 PM on February 1 [3 favorites]

Finally, a use for those puddles of pee on the subway stairs.
posted by found missing at 3:13 PM on February 1

That sounds kinda dumb and obvious in the description, but the photos are cool and I imagine that in situ it's even more striking.
posted by yoink at 3:14 PM on February 1

Look, everyone! A rainbow of snark!
posted by orme at 3:17 PM on February 1 [3 favorites]

Yes, but made from 100% harvested and recycled sarcasm
posted by found missing at 3:23 PM on February 1 [4 favorites]

Dude should do it on clear nights to see if he can get a little moonbow action going.
posted by GuyZero at 3:26 PM on February 1 [2 favorites]

Double Rainbow OMG!
posted by chapps at 3:29 PM on February 1

Real rainbows are full circles when seen from the air. True story!
posted by jquinby at 3:42 PM on February 1 [1 favorite]

has figured out how to make rainbows from harvested and reclaimed rainwater.

I actually really like this part, as it's rainwater, not from-the-tap potable water. Fresh, drinkable water is a precious resource. Sure, anyone could've hooked up a hose and sprayer and made rainbows, but that he purposely did not do this, but instead used water that probably would've otherwise been unused, that's a nice touch. It's not just art, it's responsible art.
posted by xedrik at 4:25 PM on February 1

my garden sprinkler is a genius and I didn't even know!
posted by badstone at 4:47 PM on February 1

I thought rainbows came from unicorn farts. Not impressed.
posted by Mcable at 4:54 PM on February 1

anazgnos: "has figured out how to make rainbows from harvested and reclaimed rainwater.

Pretty sure any kind of water will work."

HELL NO! This lady is on to the truth of the rainbows!
posted by symbioid at 5:27 PM on February 1 [1 favorite]

GuyZero: "Dude should do it on clear nights to see if he can get a little moonbow action going."

I wonder if those poor moonbows just wish all those people would go the fuck away and STOP FLASHING YOUR CAMERA LIGHTS IN MY BEAUTIFUL FACE!
posted by symbioid at 5:32 PM on February 1

This lady is on to the truth of the rainbows!

Does she explain why there's so many songs about them?
posted by straight at 6:01 PM on February 1 [2 favorites]

Hahahaha reclaimed rainwater and magical rainbow machine discovery aka sprinkler
posted by nathancaswell at 5:05 AM on February 2