Rainbow Around The Sun

[Stewy]

Just had a look at the Sun and theres a Rainbow around it, I've never seen anything like it in my life, anyone know what causes it? We've had no rain and anyway I always thought that a Rainbow follows the curvature of the Earth and not around the Sun.

Anyone else see it?

(Not sure if this should be in the Astronomy forum)

[Stewy]

It'a a Halo apparently

[galanthus]

halo halo what's all that about then ? soz

[Stewy]

Oh Dear

[thunder]

Not currently visible from where I am. Rainbow effects round the sun are caused by ice crystals in the upper atmosphere refracting sunlight. Was the rainbow near the sun, or a fair way away?

henrya

[Stewy]

Hi Henrya, It's a fair way away, I can still see it but it's a bit more faint now.

[Stewy]

Actually I would say it's quite nearish

[thunder]

Be careful about looking towards the sun, but stand with your arm outstretched and your thumb and little finger as widely stretched as you can. If you put you thumb next to the sun, if the tip of your little finger is about where the halo is, then that's 22 degree halo or parhelic circle. Do be careful looking towads the sun. Hope the neighbours don't think you are mad!

henrya

[Stewy]

They don't think it Henrya, they know it

Yup it's a 22 degree Halo, It's very faint at the minute and can only see a little bit of it, do they last long?

Thanks Henrya

Stew

[thunder]

Originally Posted by Stewy

They don't think it Henrya, they know it

Yup it's a 22 degree Halo, It's very faint at the minute and can only see a little bit of it, do they last long?

Thanks Henrya

Stew

How long it last depends on the ice crystals - they may move horizontally in wind, or up or down depending on convection currents. Some haloes can last a couple of hours, I think. Must look this up. Some are very fleeting - a few seconds.

henrya

[Stewy]

It's about gone now, can just about make out a tiny,tiny bit of it.

Thanks Henrya, most informative

Stew

[Jack Leighton]

I never Heard about the rainbow without rain or in direct sun side. It is rare ..or not possible

The scientific reason behind it is that after rain a few drops of rain hanged in the surface and when light passes through these tiny drops it works like prism (which convert light in 7 colours) and we see the rainbow. It occurs mostly after the rain if you keep your back towards the sun you can see rainbow in front of you.


Jack Leighton

loan till payday

[thunder]

Quote
I never Heard about the rainbow without rain or in direct sun side. It is rare ..or not possible
Endquote

Actually ice crystal haloes round the sun are reasonably common - it's just that most of us don't look up enough to notice them

henrya

[Shadowjewel]

Well, you learn something new everyday! Never heard about this before, but then I am not in the habit of looking at the sun, unless it is close to sunset, but then not always by choice, lol!

[thunder]

Saw a partial 22 degree halo round the sun this afternoon - in thickish high cloud, The rainbow colours were not very distinct.

henrya

[thunder]

Yes, Sam, that looks like a 22 degree halo. Much more complete than the one I saw on 19 June.

henrya

[Reptilian]

I saw this one in Jersey last week, not very complete but it was still pretty.

[thunder]

Lovely picture!

henrya

[Garden Carpet]

Lovely signature

[Billy Wobble Dagger]

We saw a halo around the sun on Saturday afternoon. First time I've seen one.

BWD

[Jay77]

There's lots of info about halos on Atmospheric halos

[Amiguru]

Originally Posted by Jay77

There's lots of info about halos on Atmospheric halos

Thanks for the link Jay77, could be useful when teaching science

[wellies101]

I now know what they are and how they are formed! I saw one about 2/3 months ago and thought nothing of it. My sunglasses are polarised and when viewing it through those it was a lot clearer to see (probably safer too).

[wingy]

Are these what are known as sun dogs?

[thunder]

Sundogs are part of the halo range of phenomena. Sun dogs are small sections of the complete halo usually appearing at three o clock and nine o clock positions. Sometimes they show rainbow colours, sometimes just as white 'blobs'.

henrya