There's a gigantic ring around the moon tonight, one of the biggest ones I've ever seen. What is it?
2007-01-27 12:34:48 · 7 answers · asked by hurricanebrian 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
When the amount of moisture in the atmosphere is high or rapidly increasing, a layer of ice crystals forms in the upper stratosphere. It is very similar to the contrail that forms behind a jet airplane as a result of the water in the fuel freezing.
If it is a clear night, the light of the moon can be seen to be diffused by the ice crystals to form what looks like a "ring around the moon."
It is, in fact, often a sign of impending rain or snow.
2007-01-27 14:59:26 · answer #1 · answered by aviophage 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The 22° halo is the most common of the halo phenomena. It is formed by the refraction of moonlight through ice crystals in cirrostratus cloud. The ice crystals have faces at 60° to each other - the commonest shape for the crystals. Haloes also form around the sun but we often don't see them unless we are looking for them because we have to block the sun out to see them.
There are lots of different halo phenomena but most of them are most often seen in high latitudes like Antarctica. There is a very good website about haloes with lots if pictures of different ones here:
http://www.meteoros.de/indexe.htm
2007-01-27 15:45:14 · answer #2 · answered by tentofield 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i've got seen those some; constantly for the duration of an entire moon. i do no longer think of there is any value to it yet with me being a crab, finished moons constantly have a manner of spoiling my day! Oh, I only made point 3! ok, Peace...
2016-12-16 15:09:28 · answer #3 · answered by spadafora 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its called a halo. this halo appears when theres moisture in the air. it also show that its going to rain within 24 hours.
2007-01-27 12:43:42 · answer #4 · answered by Achilles 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ice crystals in the upper atmosphere - making a "moonbow" - if its dark enough you may be able to make out colors...
2007-01-27 12:39:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
If it is going to rain, they appear to be brighter or bigger.
2007-01-27 13:02:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
maybe it's some kind of warning....who knows?
2007-01-27 12:56:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋