What is the reason for the appearance of a ring around the sun? Does this mean that rain is coming soon?

Arabia Weather - Sometimes we receive many messages describing a strange phenomenon, which is a large ring of light that appears around the sun or moon, which scientists call “22 degree halos.” It is believed that the reason for the appearance of these halos is due to the extension of the circle around the sun or moon at an angle of approximately 22 degrees. What is the reason behind the appearance of these halos? Is it related to rain?

The relationship of the sun’s corona to precipitation

Some people believe that the appearance of a halo around the sun or moon means that rain is approaching. This belief has some validity, as the high thin clouds that cause halos often appear before storms, and thus halos are a sign of the height of these high clouds, which are found at an altitude exceeding 6 km. Kilometers, but how do these clouds cause these halos to appear?

The solar corona is a large ring of light that appears due to the presence of high clouds. These clouds contain millions of small ice crystals. Coronas appear as a result of the refraction of light through these crystals, in addition to the reflection and shine of light from these crystals. It is necessary that the surfaces of the crystals be in the right position. Suitable for reflecting light towards viewers on the ground.

What conditions are suitable for seeing a halo around the sun or moon?

In order for conditions to be suitable for seeing a halo around the sun or moon, several factors must be present, including:

• Temperatures in the upper atmosphere must be low enough for cirrus clouds to form that carry ice crystals.
• It is preferable that the height of these clouds be more than 6000 metres.
• The precise shape and orientation of the ice crystals are essential for halos to appear clearly.

Types of sun and moon halos

It is important to differentiate between two types of auras:

• Halos that arise from the freezing of spray at the surface level during very cold weather conditions. These halos occur mainly in the polar regions, or in countries known for very cold winters, such as Canada.
• Halos that arise from ice crystals in high clouds. These halos can appear anywhere on the planet, whether during the winter or summer, and this depends on the presence of high clouds and their composition of the crystals that form the halo.

See also:

What is the sun's corona and why does it appear?

What is the moon's halo and why does it appear?

Sources:

Arab weather