Sun halo in the blazing fires of sunset

This time of year in the North American state of Minnesota is very cold, and Monday, February 4, was no exception. "It was -32 °C, the sun was setting over the horizon and was raging snowstorm — ideal conditions for the formation of the solar halo — Vaticano" — said Todd Renslow from the city of Morehead.

The storm at sunset created an amazing effect. Ice crystals in the air catch the light of the setting sun, surrounding the fire area with a couple of Parhelia: 22-degree halo and a tangent arc at the top of the main semicircle. In the middle of the song stood a vertical sun pillar. These glowing forms were caused by a mixture of ice crystals in the form of plates and in the shape of a pencil.

Blizzard is not required for the appearance of the sun halo. The usual winter air is often enough to produce an optical effect.

Translated by «Yandex.Translator»