IIA Astronomers Capture Stunning 22° Sun Halo

On 9th September, 2024, astronomers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bengaluru observed and photographed a remarkable 22° sun halo phenomenon.

Key Points

Phenomenon Description: The sun halo, observed at 11:27 am, is caused by light refracting through hexagonal ice crystals in the atmosphere, creating a circular halo around the sun.
Color Gradient: Due to the refraction of light, the halo displays a color gradient with red on the inside and blue on the outside, as light bends differently based on its wavelength.
Angular Diameter: The halo’s angular diameter is 22 degrees, which gives the phenomenon its name, '22° sun halo'.
Light Refraction: The refraction of light through ice crystals results in the distinctive ring structure, with light appearing smeared across the outer part of the halo.
Moon Halo: Similar halos can form around the moon and are known as 'moon rings' or 'winter halos', caused by similar atmospheric conditions.
Observation Impact: The capture of this stunning halo highlights the dynamic and beautiful interactions between light and atmospheric particles.
Significance: This celestial event serves as a visual reminder of the intricate processes that create natural optical phenomena in our atmosphere.