Solar Halo Over Evia Island, Greece

May 03, 2018

Solar Halo 18-2-2018 (1)

Photographer: Dimitris Malliaris
Summary Authors: Dimitris Malliaris; Jim Foster

This impressive 22 degree solar halo was captured above Pissonas, Evia (Euboea) Island, Greece, on February 18, 2018. Halos form when sunlight is refracted in hexagonal ice crystals that are more or less randomly-oriented. These tiny pencil-shaped crystals make up cirrus clouds. After passing through one of the crystals' side faces, light is bent approximately 22 degrees before exiting one of the alternate side faces. Note the sundog on the right portion of the halo.

Photo Details: Pentax K-3 II camera; Pentax HD 16-85mm WR lens; 16mm focal length; ƒ/8 aperture; 1/1000 sec. exposure time; ISO:100; Adobe Photoshop CS5 (Windows).