22-Degree Halo Observed from Norfolk, Virginia

September 16, 2021

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Photographer: Rob Brune
Summary Author: Rob Bruner; Jim Foster

Stepping outside from lunch one day earlier this year, I couldn’t help but notice this 22-degre solar halo. Circular halos about the Sun (and Moon) are caused by randomly oriented ice crystals in the atmosphere that act like mirrors and prisms to reflect and refract light away from the Sun. The 22-degree halo, and in fact all halos, are polarized. Note the contrails at left center, running through and tangent to this halo. When looking in the vicinity of the Sun, always makes sure to protect your eyes. Photo taken near Norfolk, Virginia on May 2, 2021.

 


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