Sun halos occur only when a thin cirrostratus cloud covers the sun. The colder the air, the more intense the colors
of the halo. Once, I even caught an angel flying across in front of one! (can you see it?)
A pair of glasses with polarized lenses is required, not only to protect the eyes, but most of these sky phenomenon
can't be detected without them!
Here is a rare shot of two halos in the sky at once. The common 22' halo accompanied by the hardly seen 46' halo.
The 46' halo is very feint and has more of the primary colors compared to the 22' halo, which has only the red and
orange colors. At the top of the 22' halo is the Upper tangential arc.
46'-22'halo112305
uppertangarc112305
Quite a phenomenal appearance in the sky does the rare Parhelical circle make. I have read about it and have seen
photos of it on one particular website, but it wasn't until recently that I have been able to see it and photograph it!
The parhelic circle forms a horizontal halo or ring around the sky running thru the sun and its halo. It ranges from a
faint white line intersecting the halo where the sundogs lie, to a solid white ring encompassing the horizon. I have
also photographed the rare 120' parhelia or 'mock sun' (sundog) which extends 120' from the sun lying on the parhelic
circle. There are also many other various arcs and halos connected to the sun, which I am constantly on watch for.
parhelic51303
parhelic21203
parheliccircle12002b
parheliccircle12002b
This is my collection of sun halos, which seem to be quite common, now that I am
always looking up!
