'Spectacular' Solar Halo Spotted over Devils Tower
8 hours ago
- #optical phenomenon
- #solar halo
- #Devils Tower
- A photographer captured a rare solar halo perfectly positioned over Devils Tower, described as a once-in-a-lifetime event.
- The phenomenon is a 22-degree solar halo caused by sunlight passing through high-altitude cirrostratus clouds with hexagonal ice crystals.
- Meteorologist Don Day confirmed the photo's authenticity, noting that the specific sun angle and cloud conditions enabled the full circle halo to be visible.
- Solar halos occur more frequently than thought, but capturing a full one requires precise cloud conditions and sun angles, similar to seeing a full rainbow.
- The photo sparked diverse reactions, with some viewing it as an angelic symbol and others referencing the movie 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind', though it's a natural, earth-based phenomenon.