Today's Image

Sun halo over U.S. East Coast yesterday

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May 15, 2013

View larger. | Halo around the sun seen over New Jersey by EarthSky Facebook friend Jay Herbst. Thank you, Jay! See Jay’s website here.

On EarthSky’s Facebook page yesterday afternoon (May 14, 2013), we received many, many photos from U.S. East coast residents (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania) showing a beautiful halo around the sun. Did you see it? The photo above is from Jay Herbst. The next two below are from John Zenkus. The final photo on this page is from Steve Scanlon. But there were lots more on our Facebook page; if they haven’t moved too far down the page yet, you might still see some there by clicking Recent Posts by Others.

It’s fun to imagine how many might have seen this beautiful sky event over such a populous part of the world.

Many asked if the halo seen around the sun on May 14 was in some way related to the three X-flares on the sun this week. The answer is no. Halos around the sun and moon are weather phenomena. They happen in the lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere. They’re caused by the presence of high cirrus clouds above your head. What makes a halo around the sun or moon? Read more here.

Solar halo over Union Square in New York City on May 14, 2013. Photograph by John Zenkus. Thank you, John! See below for the reaction of the crowd. — Solar halo over Union Square in New York City on May 14, 2013. Photograph by John Zenkus. See below for the reaction of the crowd.

People in Union Square in New York City on May 14, 2013 looking up at the solar halo. Photograph by John Zenkus. Thank you, John!

View larger. | Another beautiful shot of yesterday's solar halo, also over New Jersey, from our friend Steve Scanlon Photography. Thank you, Steve. See Steve's work on Facebook. — View larger. | Another beautiful shot of yesterday’s solar halo, also over New Jersey, from our friend Steve Scanlon Photography. Thank you, Steve. See Steve’s work on Facebook.

Want to see your photo here? Send us your photos via EarthSky on Facebook, EarthSky’s photo community on Google+, and/or e-mail: images@earthsky.org.

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May 15, 2013

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Today's Image

Deborah Byrd

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Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.