Ring Around The Moon? Here’s What It Means
Have you ever seen a ghostly ring around the Moon? We explain what it's called and what causes it.
While stargazing, have you ever noticed a large circular band of light surrounding the Moon? If so, you have seen a lunar halo.
What Is A Lunar Halo?
A lunar halo is caused by the refraction, reflection, and dispersion of light through ice particles suspended within thin, wispy, high altitude cirrus or cirrostratus clouds. As light passes through these hexagon-shaped ice crystals, it is bent at a 22-degree angle, creating a halo 22 degrees in radius (or 44 degrees in diameter). A double halo, sometimes with spokes, may be seen on rare occasions when light reflects off water or ice.
The prism effect of light passing through these six-sided ice crystals separates the light into its various colors, resulting in a halo tinged with very pale rainbow colors with red on the inside and blue on the outside. The phenomenon of a lunar halo is similar to a rainbow produced by sunlight and rain falling between your eye and the sun.
What Does Folklore Say About A Lunar Halo?
Weather lore says a lunar halo is the precursor of impending unsettled weather, especially during the winter months. This is often proved true, as cirrus and cirrostratus clouds generally precede rain and storm systems.
Lunar halos are, in fact, actually fairly common. So watch the night sky, and keep the umbrella handy!
This article was published by the Staff at FarmersAlmanac.com. Any questions? Contact us at [email protected].
- Farmers' Almanac Staff
- Farmers' Almanac Staff
- Farmers' Almanac Staff
- Farmers' Almanac Staff
I’m 53 and don’t remember ever seeing one before. But now in Hayesville, NC on Thanksgiving….
Gorgeous! Thank you for sharing!!
The little Rhyme goes RIING AROUND MOON,RAIN WILL COME SOON
Beautiful moon in Griffin Ga
Gorgeous! Thank you for sharing this with the community!
There’s a beautiful ring around the moon tonight. Maugansville MD
And here’s the halo around the moon in Tucson 12-3-22.
Tonight 2:30am in Michigan. Interesting because we just had the blood moon lunar eclipse this week. Also this is the second lunar halo like this I’ve seen around the moon this week . The full moon has been really cool ever since the blood moon occurred this week.
Hi Stephanie, Thanks for joining the conversation here and sharing a photo. Great shot!
Wednesday January 11 22 there is a halo around the moon at 4:53 a.m my husband said he’s never seen one as we where watch caught a couple of shooting star or maybe meters nit sure but appreciate that we got to see it together! Enjoy
So glad you were able to see it and especially that you could share it with someone you love!
8 Nov. 2022 Sacramento
Wow! What a strange and great photo! Thanks for sharing.
4 nov.. 2022 from phalaborwa foto from wynand kok.
Large white bright ring around moon tonight..,,
Burke vt