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Exploring the Enigmatic Beauty of Lunar Halos

Lunar halos, those ethereal circles that grace the night sky, are a captivating phenomenon that often goes unnoticed. While moonlight is significantly dimmer than sunlight, moon halos can still be observed under the right conditions. To increase your chances of witnessing this celestial spectacle, it is best to search for lunar halos when the moon is near full and in a dark sky, away from the glare of city lights. The sight of color within these halos should be cherished, as it is a rare and enchanting occurrence.

Moon halos, like their daytime counterparts, are created by the refraction and reflection of light. In the case of lunar halos, it is the moonlight that is refracted and reflected by ice crystals present in high-altitude clouds. These ice crystals act as miniature prisms, dispersing the light and creating a mesmerizing display.

One remarkable example of a lunar halo captured by photographer Jan Thore Øvrum over Skien in Telemark, Norway, showcases the delicate and fleeting nature of these phenomena. In his image, the lunar halo appears as a faint ring surrounding the moon, accompanied by prismatic moondogs or paraselenae on either side. These moondogs extend outwards and merge into a colorless paraselenic circle, mimicking the parhelic circle.

The formation of these moondogs can be attributed to the presence of wobbly plate ice crystals in the atmosphere. These crystals interact with the moonlight, causing the light to refract and create the distinct shapes seen in the photograph. Additionally, there are weak upper and lower pillars stretching from the moon, which are also formed by these wobbly hexagonal plate crystals.

The beauty of lunar halos extends beyond what we currently know and observe. While lunar rainbows have been documented, capturing other celestial bodies, such as Venus or star dogs within a halo, remains an intriguing possibility. The potential for new discoveries and photographs that push the boundaries of our understanding of atmospheric optics is an exciting prospect.

In conclusion, lunar halos are a captivating and elusive phenomenon that showcases the beauty and complexity of the natural world. By seeking out these halos in optimal conditions and appreciating their subtle colors, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the wonders that exist in our night sky. The delicate interplay between moonlight and ice crystals creates a visual spectacle that reminds us of the vastness and mystery of the universe. So, the next time you find yourself gazing at the moon on a clear night, take a moment to look for the faint glow of a lunar halo and immerse yourself in its enigmatic beauty.

Seen by Jan Thore Øvrum over Skien in Telemark, Norway. The city of Skein is in the background. His image nicely captures the faint and fugitive appearance of lunar halos.

Moonlight at its brightest is a mere 1/400,000th of the sun's. Moon halos are intrinsically dim... Ideally, search for them with the moon near full and in a dark rather than twilit sky. Avoid or shield eyes from city lights. Like lunar rainbows, a sight of colour should be cherished.

Jan's halos were generated by moonlight refracted and reflected by ice crystals in the high and streaky clouds. Prismatic moondogs or paraselenae dominate the scene at left and right. They extend outwards and merge into a colourless paraselenic circle, Selene's mimicry of the parhelic circle. The moondogs extend downwards signalling formation by wobbly plate crystals. Or perhaps the extensions are fragments of a 22° halo from randomly tilted crystals of some kind. Wobbly hexagonal plates certainly made the weak upper and lower pillars stretching from the moon.

..Will some intrepid photographer one day capture Venus or even star dogs? We have pillars already.

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