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.
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