images

Sun Halo and contrail.

by

L.Laveder/Novapix

Reference

t-met03-00018

Date

2007-10-23

Halos are caused by sunlight being refracted by cirro-stratus clouds. These are thin clouds, very high in the atmosphere, and are composed of ice crystals. They bend light at a 22 degree angle, which creates a halo around the sun that is 44 degrees in diameter. An insect is also visible. May 14 2006.