An Incredible Lunar Phenomenon Lights Up The Night Sky
Stargazers across the UK were treated to an incredible sight in the night sky this weekend as a rare moon ‘halo‘ appeared above many parts of the country. The optical phenomenon, caused by ice crystals in the upper atmosphere, surrounded the near-full moon with a luminous ring that left many onlookers amazed at the beauty of the natural light show.
What Is A Moon Halo?
A moon halo, also sometimes called a 22-degree halo, is an optical phenomenon that occurs when moonlight passes through ice crystals in high-level cirrus or cirrostratus clouds. The ice crystals act as prisms, refracting and reflecting the moonlight to produce a ring around the moon. The rings appear about 22 degrees away from the moon.
Moon halos are fairly common occurrences and result from the fact that ice crystals in high altitude clouds have hexagonal shapes with flat surfaces and pointed ends. As moonlight enters the crystal, it is refracted and reflected internally until it exits the other end of the crystal. This causes the light to be dispersed in all directions, producing the circular ring we see surrounding the moon.
Sightings Across The UK
Reports of the moon halo sighting came in from all over the UK on the night of November 25th. Social media was flooded with photos of the phenomenon, with many commenting on the clarity and brightness of the halo. Sightings were confirmed from as far north as Scotland down to the English counties of Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset in the southwest.
In London, onlookers filling parks and open spaces were stunned by the halo’s appearance. “It was absolutely breathtaking,” said one observer in Richmond Park. “The halo displayed brilliantly against the dark sky.”I’ve never seen anything like it before.” Similar reactions came from observers in Manchester, Birmingham, and other major cities across England, Wales, and Scotland that night.
Rare And Beautiful Phenomenon
While moon halos are a relatively common atmospheric optical phenomenon, sightings of ones as vivid and well-defined as the November display are considered rare. According to the Royal Museums Greenwich, clear and distinct moon halos like the one seen this weekend typically only occur a few times a year in the UK.
“For a moon halo to appear so luminous and with such well-defined edges is definitely an uncommon event,” said Dr. Marek Kukula, Royal Observatory Greenwich’s Public Astronomer. “The high cirrus cloud conditions that night were perfectly aligned to produce this amazing display of moon.”It’s always so fascinating when nature provides us with a beautiful and rarely seen light show in the night sky.”
Social Media Buzz
Social media was abuzz with photos and videos of the moon halo sightings last weekend night. On Twitter, the hashtag #MoonHalo was trended in the UK as people shared their experiences. Photos showed the halo appearing as a bright white ring encircling the moon against a dark blue or black night sky. In some shots, stars could also be seen peeking through the halo’s glow.
The sight gripped social media users, with many expressing a sense of awe and wonder at the natural spectacle. “It was very cool to witness.” “Experienced something out of a fairy tale,” said one Twitter user.
Others commented on the halo’s beauty, with many noting they had never witnessed anything like it before. Astronomy enthusiasts also used the opportunity to provide educational context about what was being seen and how moon halos form.
Explaining The Conditions
Meteorologists explained that the ideal conditions for the halo to appear so prominently involved a layer of high-level cirrus or cirrostratus clouds composed of tiny ice crystals. These high altitude clouds acted like prisms, refracting the moonlight into its characteristic ring shape.
The clouds also needed to be optically thin enough for the moonlight to pass through clearly but still provide the ice crystals to disperse its light. Humidity levels were also an important factor, as moist air allowed the ice crystals to form with their hexagonal structures intact. The halo was seen so vividly because these optimal conditions came together perfectly on the night of November 25th this weekend Here.
A Rare Treat
While moon halos are a fairly regular atmospheric event, sightings as spectacular as the one that delighted observers across the UK last week are considered rare. Most pass without notice in hazy or cloudy skies. But on this night, conditions aligned to light up the night with a luminous natural light show.
Stargazers who witnessed the halo were treated to a beautiful reminder of the incredible sights that can appear overhead when the atmosphere cooperates just right. Though we may not see displays as stunning again anytime soon, events like this help showcase the magic that still unfolds above us each clear night, whether we notice it or not. For those lucky enough to take it all this weekend, it was a night under the moon halo they won’t soon forget.
