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