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The effect is created by the reflection of light from tiny ice crystals that are suspended in the atmosphere or that comprise high-altitude clouds (e.g. cirrostratus or cirrus clouds). [1] If the light comes from the Sun (usually when it is near or even below the horizon ), the phenomenon is called a sun pillar or solar pillar .
A light pillar, or sun pillar, appears as a vertical pillar or column of light rising from the Sun near sunset or sunrise, though it can appear below the Sun, particularly if the observer is at a high elevation or altitude. Hexagonal plate- and column-shaped ice crystals cause the phenomenon.
Two sun dogs often flank the Sun within a 22° halo. The sun dog is a member of the family of halos caused by the refraction of sunlight by ice crystals in the atmosphere. Sun dogs typically appear as a pair of subtly colored patches of light, around 22° to the left and right of the Sun, and at the same altitude above the horizon as the Sun ...
Crown flash is a rarely observed meteorological phenomenon caused by the effect of atmospheric electrical fluctuations on the alignment of ice crystals. It has been described as "the brightening of a thunderhead crown followed by the appearance of aurora-like streamers emanating into the clear atmosphere". [ 1 ]
Common optical phenomena are often due to the interaction of light from the Sun or Moon with the atmosphere, clouds, water, dust, and other particulates. One common example is the rainbow , when light from the Sun is reflected and refracted by water droplets.
Halos, of Sun or Moon, including sun dogs; Haze; Heiligenschein or halo effect, partly caused by the opposition effect; Ice blink; Light pillar; Lightning; Mirages (including Fata Morgana) Monochrome Rainbow; Moon dog; Moonbow; Nacreous cloud/Polar stratospheric cloud; Rainbow; Sprite (lightning) Subsun; Sun dog; Tangent arc; Tyndall effect
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22° halo around the Sun 22° halo around the Moon. A 22° halo is an atmospheric optical phenomenon that consists of a halo with an apparent diameter of approximately 22° around the Sun or Moon. Around the Sun, it may also be called a sun halo. [1] Around the Moon, it is also known as a moon ring, storm ring, or winter halo.