Large ring around moon

[jah79]

Hi

What was the phenomenon on Saturday night with the large halo around the moon? Was it purely a local thing or visible over the whole UK/Europe/world?

I haven't seen that in ages and remember reading about it a long time ago.

Johann

[PeterMammoth]

Most likely ice halos caused by ice crystals high in the upper troposphere. So I suppose it's a local phenomena, but a lot of the country had similar weather yesterday so it might have been widespread.

[Beulah]

The folklore round here stipulates that a ring around the moon indicates precipitation within the next two to three days.

The local weather forcasting methods seems to work, too!!

[ashenlight]

Hi Johann,

What you describe is caused by millions of ice crystals - that occur in high clouds - acting like miniature prisms and refracting the light around 22 degrees, causing the halo. You can find some info on it here - it's a very pretty sight, isn't it

My understanding is that as it is dependent on the type of cloud that is around, it is dependent on your location - not everywhere has the same type of cloud in the atmosphere. I could be wrong though

[Talitha]

Hi Johann, ice crystals cause both lunar and solar halos and some of them can get quite complex (be very careful of your eyes when viewing or imaging a solar halo).

Take a look at Les Cowley's site for info/images on halos and a lot more. I've known Les for a number of years... top-notch Gent.

[Leegsi]

We saw it too when we were at Beaulieu for the firework display.

[ctopher]

Seeing the same in Seattle this morning 12:30 am ... ring is dark and about 200 times the size of the moon. A first for me.

[Talitha]

They're huge, aren't they? Photos don't do them justice, IMHO.

[markystars]

Ive seen this phenomenom before and wondered what it was, i now know. It is pretty spectacular hey

[Brunty12345]

ice halo around the moon looks well cool! i didnt see it personally but i googled it

[Dr Nurburg]

Ah great forum. Thanks for the enlightenment.

[yeti monster]

I love to see this phenomenon, on a cold, clear night. Another of natures wonders.

[LukeSkywatcher]

I've really only seen this once. It was about a year ago. The lunar halo was HUGE. It must have been about 20 times the diameter of the full moon.

[bigelk]

We saw it in Ohio at around 10:25pm. Very beautiful

[MrsR]

I have only been lucky enough to see it once about 10 years ago and it was an amazing site.

[althecoal]

I was out for an hour saterday just before the clouds came rolling in and the halo was visable from my location too, very large halo at that..

[noakesy]

any one gota photo

[Blackelvis]

Any photo available?

[Tom Redfern]

Yeah I wondered what that was. Thought it was something to do with clouds. Didnt realise it was ice, or that so many other people would see it.

Looked pretty amazing