Today's Image

Halo around the sun over Normandy, France

EarthSky Facebook friend Jean Marie Andre Delaporte captured this image of a halo around the sun in Normandy, France on April 23, 2014.
EarthSky Facebook friend Jean Marie Andre Delaporte captured this image of a halo around the sun in Normandy, France on April 23, 2014. Thank you, Jean Marie!

This is a classic solar halo, what scientists call a 22-degree halo. Halos like this one can be seen around the world, throughout the year, and around either the sun or moon. These halos are caused by both refraction, or splitting of light, and also by reflection, or glints of light from ice crystals high in Earth’s atmosphere. The crystals have to be oriented and positioned just so with respect to your eye, in order for the halo to appear.

What makes a halo around the sun or moon?

Posted 
April 24, 2014
 in 
Today's Image

Like what you read?
Subscribe and receive daily news delivered to your inbox.

Your email address will only be used for EarthSky content. Privacy Policy
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

More from 

Deborah Byrd

View All