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Sun Halos - An Incredible Dance of Ice and Light

Have you ever observed a strange ring encircling the Sun or the Moon when you look up at the sky? These fascinating optical phenomena, sometimes referred to as sun halos or 22-degree halos, are caused by sunlight refracting in millions of hexagon-shaped ice crystals hovering in the sky. We'll examine the science underlying sun halos in this blog.

What Are Sun Halos?

A sun halo is a ring that encircles the sun with a radius of around 22 degrees. It is an illusory, rainbow-colored phenomenon brought on by light's interaction with upper troposphere ice crystals. Usually hanging in clouds of cirrus or cirrostratus, these ice crystals provide ideal circumstances for the formation of halos. Let's explore the enchantment of sun halos in more detail. 



How Are Sun Halos Created?

Crystals of Ice in the Environment: When light travels through ice crystals hanging in the atmosphere, sun halos are created. These crystals are found in thin, high-altitude clouds called cirrus or cirrostratus clouds.

Refraction and Dispersion: Light bends and disperses (splits into colors) as it enters these ice crystals. The type of halo noticed is determined by the particular form and orientation of the crystals.

Prisms and Mirrors: The ice crystals reflect and refract light between their faces in a manner similar to those of prisms and mirrors. The halo effect is produced by this, which directs light shafts in specific directions.

Types of Sun Halos

Circular Halo (22° Halo): The most common type, this halo forms a complete circle around the Sun. It’s caused by refraction and reflection in hexagonal ice crystals.

Sun Dogs (Parhelia): These are bright spots of light flanking the Sun. They occur when sunlight is refracted by plate-shaped ice crystals.

Circumzenithal Arc: An elongated rainbow arc above the Sun, often seen as an “upside-down rainbow.”

Sun Pillars: Vertical columns of light extending above or below the Sun. They result from light reflecting off horizontal ice crystals.

Examples of Sun Halos

22° Halo: Imagine a perfect ring around the Sun. It’s like nature’s own celestial jewelry, dazzling observers with its rainbow hues.

Sun Dogs: These appear as bright spots on either side of the Sun. They’re like loyal companions, following the Sun wherever it goes.

Circumzenithal Arc: Picture an ethereal rainbow above the Sun, curving gracefully across the sky.

Sun Pillars: Vertical beams of light reaching for the heavens, as if the Sun is sending a message to the cosmos.

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