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.
Our Editor-in-Chief Deborah Byrd works to keep all the astronomy balls in the air between EarthSky's website, YouTube page and social media platforms. She's the primary editor of our popular daily newsletter and a frequent host of EarthSky livestreams. 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 3505 Byrd in her honor. In 2020, she won the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society, the largest organization of professional astronomers in North America. 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.
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