Have you ever looked up at the sky and seen a perfect, glowing ring encircling the sun? What you witnessed is a natural phenomenon called a sun halo—a breathtaking display caused not by magic, but by the physics of light and ice.
This image captures a stunning sun halo set against a backdrop of wispy, cirrus clouds. These clouds contain millions of tiny ice crystals high in the upper atmosphere. When sunlight passes through these crystals, it bends at a precise angle of 22 degrees, forming a luminous ring around the sun. This is why it's often called a 22-degree halo.
🌤️ What causes a sun halo?
Sunlight is refracted (bent) and reflected by hexagonal ice crystals in the cirrus or cirrostratus clouds.
The light is deflected at a 22-degree angle, creating a circle of light around the sun.
Sometimes, additional arcs or "sun dogs" appear to the left and right of the halo.
🌟 Why is it special?
It's a reminder of the delicate balance in our atmosphere.
Sun halos can serve as indicators of incoming weather systems, often signaling that rain or snow may be on the way.
☀️ A word of caution: Never look directly at the sun to view a halo. Use sunglasses or view through a camera lens to protect your eyes.
Nature has a way of surprising us when we least expect it. The next time you spot a sun halo, take a moment to pause and admire the science and serenity in the sky.
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