if you look at the moon right now there is huge circle around it. Inside the circle is clear skies but the rest of the sky is cloudy.
2007-01-28 14:43:16 · 7 answers · asked by singmetosleep 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Its a Moondog! They're caused by ice crystals high in the atmosphere...check out the link below.
2007-01-28 14:48:14 · answer #1 · answered by Beach_Bum 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When the amount of moisture in the atmosphere is increasing, a layer of ice crystals often forms in the upper stratosphere, very much as the contrails we often see form when the water in the jet fuel condenses and freezes behind a jet airplane.
This layer of ice crystals scatters the light from the moon and can create the "ring" effect. It is usually a sign of rain or snow in the near future, but it will not hurt you.
2007-01-28 23:58:15 · answer #2 · answered by aviophage 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a clear sign of a storm coming....the ring itself is caused by light refracting on moisture in the atmosphere. Supposedly, the larger the ring....the farther away the storm.
2007-01-29 00:36:12 · answer #3 · answered by RedHairedTempest 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ice crystals. NOT clouds.
(FYI: there is a more scientific name for it beyond "moondog" and the ring is always the same size due to the highly specific and unchanging angle of refraction)
2007-01-29 01:03:53 · answer #4 · answered by Umjahwa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The ring is caused by the clouds, the light shining thru them makes the effect.
2007-01-28 22:53:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Probably refraction caused by high altitude ice crystals.
2007-01-28 22:48:30 · answer #6 · answered by iansand 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beats me man. I see the same thing where I live. Maybe it's just a trick of the light.
2007-01-28 22:50:34 · answer #7 · answered by joedude2007 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋