10 years ago when I first saw it, the circle was much smaller and closer to the sun-looked like a ring around the sun filled with smog. Today I happened to look and the ring is MUCH MUCH bigger than it was. I did
a photo merge.
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEA what causes this. I do not remember EVER seeing it before about 10 years ago-and I am a gazer at the sky….
Please share with me if you know / or even if you think you know!
Relax, it's just Life! 
March 31, 2008 at 11:52 pm |
Marsha,
Relax! It’s just sunlight bouncing off tiny ice crystals floating in the atmosphere. It’s called a Solar Halo. While there are several kinds in several sizes, most are about the size you saw, or 22°. The Moon can also have a halo, or even two.
Google “Solar Halo” to see many more pictures like this.
April 1, 2008 at 4:09 am |
Why thank you so much for the great information! How lovely – sunlight bouncing off tiny
ice crystals floating in the atmosphere- a solar halo! Actually, Steve, I am relaxed:). I
teach relaxation and stress management…..but I also am the most curious person I know.
I want to know and if I don’t I am bound to find out — and this time it was with your fine input.
Thanks so very much and have a wonderful day!
Marsha
April 1, 2008 at 11:48 am |
You’re very welcome; I do enjoy answering questions about the sky. And “Relax!” was just a little joke based on your blog title. No worries!
Best,
Steve
April 3, 2008 at 3:50 pm |
Wow, that is a pretty picture. I also enjoy gazing at the sky. It is relaxing and it brings you closer to nature. When driving home and being stuck in traffic I love looking up at the pretty sky. The colors in the clouds the sun going down, people miss out on so much because we are always in a hurry.
April 3, 2008 at 5:49 pm |
Thanks Tammy. I tried to put two photos together and it came out better than I expected!
I too love the sky and carry my camera with me “just in case” I see something wonderful.
I am going to post two or three of these today and hope you enjoy!