Halo around the Sun shot in May 2012

A halo, or a perihelic ring, is an optical phenomenon produced by ice crystals that create an arc of colored or white ring, or spots in the sky. Many are close to the Sun or Moon. Halo may form around artificial light too, when the weather is very cold, and ice crystals called diamond dust are floating in the nearby air.

A halo is produced by ice crystals in cirrus clouds at 5-10 km height, that are in the upper troposphere. The special shape and orientation of crystals are responsible for the type of halo observed. Light is reflected and refracted by ice crystals, in colors, because of the dispersion. Crystals act as prisms and mirrors, reflecting and refracting sunlight between their faces, sending shafts of light in specific directions.




Sun halo observation in May 2012
Video: Victor Lupu
Optical: 30x optical zoom Sony CX130
Mount: no
Telrscope: no
Filter: no
Date: 12/05/2012
Location: Baia Mare, Romania

Up are video captures from the video. Contrasts were modified in Faststone.

Posted in: Astronomy terms,Astrophotography without telescope,Moon Sun Halo