×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Amazing ring around the Sun

There's an amazing ring around the Sun this morning..

Did you also see it...?

"It's like God's Eye is staring down at us," Thuli Zungi commented.

What causes this phenomenon?

A ring around the sun or the moon is also called a halo.

A science website called highlightskids.com explains that this is caused by the scattering of sunlight by tiny ice crystals very high in the sky. High clouds of ice crystals high in the sky are called cirrus clouds, or cirrostratus if they form a layer. These often form in front of warm fronts that bring rain.

So, a halo around the Sun or Moon is often a warning that rain may come.

Official View

"The rainbow ring around our sun is called a sun halo... just like a rainbow it doesn't last long," Johannesburg planetarium astronomer Claire Flanagan told Sapa mid-morning.

She advised people not to look directly at the sun as it could cause eye-damage.

 

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.