What is a solar halo. Circles around the moon Why does a ring form around the moon?

Mars has two of them. Neptune has eight. Saturn has eighteen. And suddenly the Earth has only one Moon. True, it could have been much worse, because Mercury and Venus have no satellites at all.

And yet, why is this so? Why do some planets have one or two satellites, while others have a whole squadron? It seems that the Earth once lost in the Great Lunar Lottery.

However, we must admit that our Moon is a spectacular sight; it is not without reason that it is glorified in many songs and poems. In addition, the beauty, large, round and glowing with a silver light, causes strong tides in the earth's oceans. How would we manage without her?

In our youth, about 4.5 billion years ago, our planet did not survive for long without satellites. Shortly after the formation of the Earth, the Moon was born.

Ring around the Moon
Have you ever seen a large ghostly white ring around the Moon at night?

Circles around the Moon can be confusing at first. We know that in reality there are no rings around the Moon, rotating in outer space at a distance of about 402,250 km from the Earth. But why then do we see a ring around the Moon? And why does it appear occasionally, and not every night?

These rings are just an optical effect, a gift from our atmosphere. If you look closely, you will see that the ring is not actually white. It looks more like a dim, round rainbow with a light red interior and a pale blue exterior.

The ring around the Moon, also known as a halo, appears when light is refracted by ice crystals in high, cold cirrus clouds. Each hexagonal ice crystal acts like a tiny prism. Ice crystals capture rays of white light and refract it, breaking it down into all the colors of the spectrum.

We see refracted moonlight in the shape of a circle because the crystals collect the light into a cone. (You are the observer and are at the apex of this cone.) If you extend both arms forward, the width of the ring will usually be the size of two of your fists. In general, it depends on the amount of light captured by the crystals. Most of the moonlight is captured and refracted at an angle of 22°, forming a small cone. But there are also larger halos, with an angle of 46°, although not so often. These halos form when moonlight passes through the sharper edges of the crystals.

They say that a halo around the Moon foretells rain, and this is often true, since it only appears on a cloudy night.

And what’s surprising is that this companion could also have a twin brother at the same time.

Here's how scientists think it could have happened. In the destructive race that then unfolded in our Universe, rock fragments circled around the newborn Sun, causing numerous terrible collisions. New planets flew into each other, pieces broke off from some astronomical bodies. This chaos continued for millions of years. And when everything finally calmed down, a solar system. Now nine planets, more than 50 satellites and thousands of asteroids, meteorites, meteorites and comets fly in orbit around the Sun.

Our Moon may have had a dramatic, violent birth. The young Earth was very hot - so hot that molten rocks flowed like rivers of lava across its surface. According to scientists, a small protoplanet Theia (about the size of Mars) formed near the surface of the Earth. And naturally, these two planets eventually collided.

At a speed of about 40,000 km/h, the smaller planet crashed into the Earth. As a result of a gigantic explosion, streams of hot liquid lava shot up into space.

Some of this volcanic material returned to Earth, mixed with molten rocks. But most of the escaped material remained in space, forming a lump of hot rocks that flew in orbit around the Earth. Over thousands of years, this lump cooled and rounded, turning into the white-gray Moon that is familiar to us.

Later, when the collision was simulated using a computer program, scientists came to a stunning discovery. In 9 of the 27 simulated scenarios, two satellites formed. One of them, preserved, we call today the Moon; the second satellite had an orbit even closer to the Earth.

Computer models showed how, as a result of the forces of gravity, the orbit of the satellite closest to us became unstable. Less than 100 years later, he fell to the surface of the Earth and disappeared without a trace.

If the theories are correct, then we may be walking through pieces of our moon's former brother every day.

why is there a big circle around the moon? and got the best answer

Answer from Yika[guru]
Ring around the Moon
Have you ever seen a large ghostly white ring around the Moon at night?
Circles around the Moon can be confusing at first. We know that in reality there are no rings around the Moon, rotating in outer space at a distance of about 402,250 km from the Earth. But why then do we see a ring around the Moon? And why does it appear occasionally, and not every night?
These rings are just an optical effect, a gift from our atmosphere. If you look closely, you will see that the ring is not actually white. It looks more like a dim, round rainbow with a light red interior and a pale blue exterior.
The ring around the Moon, also known as a halo, appears when light is refracted by ice crystals in high, cold cirrus clouds. Each hexagonal ice crystal acts like a tiny prism. Ice crystals capture rays of white light and refract it, breaking it down into all the colors of the spectrum.
We see refracted moonlight in the shape of a circle because the crystals collect the light into a cone. (You are the observer and are at the apex of this cone.) If you extend both arms forward, the width of the ring will usually be the size of two of your fists. In general, it depends on the amount of light captured by the crystals. Most of the moonlight is captured and refracted at an angle of 22°, forming a small cone. But there are also larger halos, with an angle of 46°, although not so often. These halos form when moonlight passes through the sharper edges of the crystals.
They say that a halo around the Moon foretells rain, and this is often true, since it only appears on a cloudy night.
And what’s surprising is that this companion could also have a twin brother at the same time.
Here's how scientists think it could have happened. In the destructive race that then unfolded in our Universe, rock fragments circled around the newborn Sun, causing numerous terrible collisions. New planets flew into each other, pieces broke off from some astronomical bodies. This chaos continued for millions of years. And when everything finally calmed down, the solar system was formed. Now nine planets, more than 50 satellites and thousands of asteroids, meteorites, meteorites and comets fly in orbit around the Sun.
Our Moon may have had a dramatic, violent birth. The young Earth was very hot - so hot that molten rocks flowed like rivers of lava across its surface. Scientists believe that a small protoplanet, Theia (about the size of Mars), has formed near the surface of the Earth. And naturally, these two planets eventually collided.
At a speed of about 40,000 km/h, the smaller planet crashed into the Earth. As a result of a gigantic explosion, streams of hot liquid lava shot up into space.
Some of this volcanic material returned to Earth, mixed with molten rocks. But most of the escaped material remained in space, forming a lump of hot rocks that flew in orbit around the Earth. Over thousands of years, this lump cooled and rounded, turning into the white-gray Moon that is familiar to us.
Later, when the collision was simulated using a computer program, scientists came to a stunning discovery. In 9 of the 27 simulated scenarios, two satellites formed. One of them, preserved, we call today the Moon; the second satellite had an orbit even closer to the Earth.
Computer models showed how, as a result of the forces of gravity, the orbit of the satellite closest to us became unstable. Less than 100 years later, he fell to the surface of the Earth and disappeared without a trace.
If the theories are correct, then we may be walking through pieces of our moon's former brother every day.

Answer from ANTOM[guru]
Superimposed solar rays falling on the surface of the Moon and rays of sunlight reflected from the surface of the Earth's satellite.

Answer from Evgeny gasnikov[guru]
A halo (large circle) around the Moon means a change in weather (cold weather).

light circles around the Moon, Sun

Optical phenomenon in the atmosphere

A natural phenomenon thanks to which you can see “three” Suns at once

Light circles, arcs, pillars, spots observed around or near the disks of the Sun and Moon

Glowing ring around celestial bodies

Optical phenomenon

Light circles around the moon

Circles around the sun

Sun, circles

Circles around the Moon

False sun

Circles around the star

Optical phenomenon around the star

Halo around the sun

Lunar halo

Halo around the star

Lunar halo

. "halo" of the luminary

Lunar "rainbow"

. "corona" of the luminary

Solar halo

Halo around the Moon

Halo around the Sun

Rainbow rings around the moon

Atmospheric phenomenon

. "halo" of the luminary

Lunar halo to rhyme with lard

Solar or lunar halo

Circles, spots observed around or near the disks of the Sun or Moon

White or iridescent light circles observed around or near the disks of the Sun and Moon

. "Crown" luminary

. "Nimbus" luminary

. "Halo" of the luminary

. Northern Lights around the Moon

Circles around the Sun

Lunar "rainbow"

Lunar "halo"

Lunar halo in rhyme with pattern

Optical phenomenon around the star

A natural phenomenon thanks to which you can see “three” Suns at once

Wed. bent, a projectile for bending arches, rims and runners: a circle is cut out in solid beams or killed by a furrow; the block, steamed in a steam oven, or underground, on which a large fire is laid out, is placed in the halo and wedged

Seeing a rainbow, most of us smile and remember our childhood when it a natural phenomenon was seen for the first time.

There are many signs associated with the rainbow, but the multi-colored arc closing around the sun looks especially unusual and mystical. In science, this phenomenon is called a halo.

There are many types of halos, but all are caused by ice crystals in cirrus clouds. The appearance of the halo depends on their shape and location. The light that is reflected and refracted by ice crystals is often decomposed into a spectrum, which causes the halo to resemble a rainbow. The halo that forms around the moon has no color, because it is simply impossible to distinguish it at dusk. This phenomenon is recorded in any weather, and in frosty conditions the crystals are located very close to the surface of the earth and resemble shining precious stones, the so-called diamond dust.

The lower part of the halo can be seen against the background of the surrounding landscape if the main luminary is located low above the horizon. However, halos are not the same as crowns. The latest natural phenomenon is associated with the formation of light, foggy rings in the sky around the Sun or Moon.

What does a rainbow around the sun mean?

Those lucky enough to see this rare phenomenon should expect all the best - prosperity, prosperity, luck and love.

If before this there was not the easiest period in life, then it will definitely end and everything will work out in the best possible way. If there are such signs associated with a circular rainbow around the sun:

• if crowns appeared before the halo, then you should expect worsening weather and vice versa;
• If in winter white crowns of large diameter appear around the sun along with pillars near the luminary, the so-called false suns, then frosty weather will continue.

There are a lot of historical facts related to the halo, when this natural phenomenon helped those who saw it in some matters or, on the contrary, was interpreted as a bad sign.

In particular, the “Tale of Igor’s Campaign” says that the army was finally defeated when four Suns appeared in the sky. Ivan the Terrible regarded the natural phenomenon he saw as an omen of imminent death.

There are a lot of signs about halo

This belief is quite interesting: a pregnant woman who takes a sip of water from the river where the rainbow originates can make a wish for the gender of her child. True, this applies only to those women who already have three daughters or three sons.

• A summer rainbow always evokes warm and joyful feelings in people. And the signs associated with it usually concern something good. But many people don’t believe in the winter rainbow, thinking......
• Houseplants are used not only as interior decoration, but also to purify the air and saturate it with oxygen. Dracaena, or whatever it’s called, copes well with both of these tasks......
• Spathiphyllum is traditionally considered by florists and according to folk signs to be the flower of female happiness. There are many signs and superstitions associated with it, which you need to know about before spathiphyllum gets......
• This is truly true: a holy place is never empty. If a person has no one to believe in, he begins to believe in something. For example, the ability of plants to bring good or bad luck, to attract......
• Folk omens will tell you about everything: what day awaits you, what you should be afraid of, and even what qualities your betrothed will have. About the most......
• From time immemorial, people have treated birds as a special caste of animals. The fact is that birds can do what we have been dreaming about since the very beginning of human history -......
• Many peoples of the world consider rainbows to be a good omen. The Rainbow Bridge to Heaven, an eternal covenant between people and God that the days of the flood are long past. The rainbow is compared to many......
• Croton (or otherwise codiaum) - evergreen, perennial ornamental plant from the Euphorbiaceae family. Not only does the croton flower have unique beauty, signs indicate its unique abilities and influence on......

Observation of a halo can serve as a local weather indicator. Halos are always observed in cirrostratus clouds, which are usually part of the warm front cloud system. Therefore, the appearance of a halo indicates the approach of a warm front.

• What weather changes should we expect due to the passage of a warm front? First of all, the decrease and thickening of clouds and the fall of precipitation: rain, snow or sleet, depending on the time of year.
  • In summer, in established sunny weather, the passage of a warm front, accompanied by low clouds and rain, is usually perceived as worsening weather.
  • in winter, in established frosty weather, the appearance of a halo portends decrease in frost, warming due to the decrease and thickening of clouds and the transition to precipitation.
• Due to the fact that the crowns are formed on smaller cloud elements (drops or crystals) than the halo, the following conclusions can be drawn.
  • If crowns were observed at first, then they disappeared and after some time a halo appeared, then this indicates the enlargement of cloud crystals and increasing the likelihood of precipitation.
  • On the contrary, if crowns appear after the halo, it means that the elements of the cloud are evaporating and decreasing in size. Hence, the likelihood of precipitation decreases.

Source: book by Zverev S.V. In the world of sunlight.

The content of the folk signs presented below may not coincide with the opinion of the author.

Folk signs

• A halo is visible around the Sun or Moon - a sign of worsening weather.
• A ring around the Moon means wind (worsening weather).
• If the crowns appear earlier and then are replaced by a halo, then the weather may worsen.
• If the halo precedes the crowns, then this can be considered a sign of improving weather.
• If in winter white crowns of large diameter appear around the sun or moon, as well as pillars near the sun, or so-called false suns, then this is a sign of continued frosty weather.
• In the US state of New Hampshire there is an interesting weather sign.
  If locals look at the sky at night and see a halo - a circle around the moon - they know a storm is coming soon. How many stars can be counted inside the halo - after so many days the storm will begin.
  Sources: A. Leokum. The Curious Book. New American Library, NY, 1978, p.17

"Myths", erroneous assumptions about haloes, incorrect names

• call diamond dust a halo. Confusion of concepts
• With light pillars and halos are different phenomena. Light pillar is one of the types of halo
• fire rainbow- name of the near-horizontal arc
• winter rainbow is the name of the halo. It is believed that the halo is visible only in winter :). Just look at this site to be convinced of the opposite
• Quote: “as the Republican Hydrometeorological Center (Moldova) assured, halo rings are safe for humans.”
• Crosses in the sky
  • At the intersection of the parhelic circle (its fragments on the sides of the sun) with a halo with a radius of 22 or 46°, crosses are formed
  • The cross, in the center of which is the sun, appears when the pillars of light intersect with the parhelic circle.
  • When crossing light pillars above/below the sun with 22 halo

Superstitions, historical facts related to halo, famous observations

Various halo phenomena have been observed in the sky for several thousand years. Arcs and pillars of light were called fire swords of angels, bloody swords, crosses (the intersection of the parhelium and the small halo, a pillar of light and the upper part of the small halo). In various archives you can find a lot of evidence of halo observations. I tried to collect the most interesting observations on this page.

A Word about Igor's Regiment

As soon as Prince Igor set out with his army on May 1, 1185, a solar eclipse occurred. “Then Igor looked at the bright sun and saw that it covered him with the darkness of the soldiers.” But the proud princes did not turn their horses. The first battle with the Polovtsians was victorious. And then they fought for another three days. The outnumbered Cumans began to overpower the Russians. And then four suns appeared in the sky. “Black clouds are coming from the sea, they want to cover four suns ... There will be great thunder...” The spirit of the soldiers fell, the Russian army was all killed, and Igor was captured.

Ivan groznyj

The story of how Grand Duke the Muscovite perceived what he saw in the sky: “... With a trembling hand, Tsar Ivan pulled back the curtain. He looked up at the sky with frightened eyes. His face was distorted with horror: in the sky, in the dark heights, he froze cruciform heavenly sign ...
Leaning on his staff, the king went out onto the Red Porch to observe the wondrous vision that the queen had just told him about.
For a long time he silently looked at the sky, dotted with a dense scattering of stars, and at this mysterious cross, vaguely visible in the heavenly depths, and suddenly, staggering from weakness... whispered:
- This is the sign of my death. Here it is..."

Napoleon

After the fall of Napoleon in France, they watched as bright spot , which reminded many of the emperor’s triangular hat. And people regarded this as a sign of his return from exile, from the island of St. Helena.

Lowitz

The St. Petersburg scientist T. Lovitz had a chance to see and describe an interesting and funny halo (one of the types of halo was later named after him).
On one summer day in 1790, he sketched the picture that opened before him:
two rainbow circles shone around the sun - one larger, the other smaller;
bright semi-arcs, similar to wide horns, adjoined them above and below.
The sun and rainbow circles were crossed by a white stripe, parallel to the horizon, encircling the sky. At the intersection of this stripe with a small rainbow circle, two false suns shone; their sides facing the sun were red, and from the opposite sides stretched long luminous tails. Three similar spots were visible against the sun - on the white stripe. The sixth, very bright, spot glittered on a small rainbow circle above the sun. All this remained in the sky for about five hours.

Halo from the ancient Russian chronicle

“That same summer there was a sign in the Sun. Protect yourself from the sun like circles,” the Russian chronicle reported in 1224.
A miniature was also included with the entry. And the chronicler monk, it seems, himself witnessed the phenomenon. The drawing clearly shows the sun with “circles” and four crosses around it.
Note that images of this kind are counted in chronicles different countries in dozens. if not hundreds.

“In 7293 (that is, in 1785) a sign appeared in the famous city of Yaroslavl, from the morning hours there was a middle circle until noon with three suns, and with them at noon the second circle appeared, In it there was a cross with a crown, and the sun was gloomy and under appeared in a large circle like a rainbow..."

Based on the description and picture, it can be assumed that the author observed a small halo with parhelia, then the upper and lower tangent arcs (crown) or Parry arcs appeared, light pillars that often look like crosshairs.

Six-winged seraph

Seraphim, from Hebrew - burning, luminous, flaming. In other meanings - burning, fiery. In the mythology of Judaism and Christianity, the name “seraphim” designated angels especially close to God. Probably their first and only description, from which numerous imitations came, is contained in the Book of the Old Testament of the prophet Isaiah:

“...each of them has six wings. Each covered his face with two. He covered his legs with two. Two - I flew..."

One of the seraphim cleanses the prophet's lips by touching them with a burning coal, which he takes with tongs from the altar. The geometry of the seraphim figure, depicted, for example, by Theophanes the Greek, is quite peculiar, but upon deep examination, it turns out to be similar to a complex halo, taken in its upper quarter (a light column, a small halo, an upper tangent arc, a large halo and a zenith arc).

The picture shows a fragment of a fresco by Theophan the Greek, 1378, Novgorod, Church of the Transfiguration on Ilyin.