Study of atmospheric optical phenomena with Physics faculty students

The authors draw attention to the fact that the description of the mechanism of the rainbow and halo formation is absent in both school and university textbooks and teaching aids. An explanation of these phenomena is given in the popular science literature, but there is no indication of the fact of the polarization of the rainbow and the reasons for this polarization. At the same time, these phenomena can be studied within the framework of a general course in physics, spending about half an hour in seminars. The article provides a methodology for studying rainbows and halos with students. In addition, the authors draw attention to a common mistake associated with the history of Descartes' study of the rainbow.