A sun halo is an atmospheric optical phenomenon that occurs when sunlight is refracted, or bent, by ice crystals in the atmosphere. When the sun's light enters an ice crystal, it is refracted and dispersed into its spectral colors, creating a circular or elliptical halo around the sun. Sun halos can appear as bright, white rings or arcs around the sun, with a radius of about 22 degrees.
Sun halos are relatively rare phenomena and are typically seen in areas with cold climates or high altitudes, where ice crystals are present in the atmosphere. They can also be seen in connection with other atmospheric phenomena, such as sundogs (bright spots or patches of light on either side of the sun) and tangent arcs (bright arcs of light tangent to the sun halo).
Sun halos are often considered to be beautiful and awe-inspiring natural phenomena, and have been the subject of fascination and interest for centuries. In many cultures, they are seen as a sign of good luck or an omen of change.
My other blogs:
Roadscape Photography
Chevrolet El Camino 1970
Life @ Loimaa, mostly Finnish
