Epic 'moonbow' captured in northern England

NORTHUMBERLAND, United Kingdom -- An incredible photograph captured a rare lunar rainbow, or "moonbow," in the skies over northern England.

Ian Glendinning snapped the picture of a moonbow arching over a lightning bolt in Northumberland, United Kingdom, on Sept. 16.

The phenomenon is a rare occurrence because several conditions are needed to create a moonbow.

Much like regular rainbows, lunar rainbows are created by the reflection and dispersion of light in water droplets.

The only difference is that lunar rainbows use the moon as its light source, instead of the sun like regular rainbows.

Because moonlight is not as bright as sunlight, it makes it more difficult to see with the naked eye.

The best time to see a lunar rainbow is when the moon is near its fullest, that way the lunar light will be its brightest.