The inhabitants of the Siberian city of Nadym witnessed a truly impressive natural spectacle on Monday. Three suns and a so-called halo could be seen in the sky above the wintry landscape. Behind the appearance hides a rare optical phenomenon that only occurs under very specific circumstances.
The images, taken by a resident of the small town that sits on the river of the same name, show the local promenade and harbor illuminated by the sun and two ‘twins’ – known as parhelia – and halos.
A halo is created when sunlight is refracted in the Earth’s atmosphere. For example, in frosty weather, when the light rays are refracted by ice crystals, which usually form at an altitude of eight to ten kilometers. The phenomenon mainly occurs in the winter months.
The parhelia – also called parhelia – also belong to the so-called halo phenomena. They can be seen as spots of light at a distance of about 22 degrees to the left or right, sometimes – as with Nadym – also on both sides, next to the sun. The observer has the impression that there is a second or third, fainter sun next to the sun.
Effect created by refraction of light
Halo is a collective term for lighting effects in atmospheric optics. Depending on the size and orientation of the ice crystals and the angle at which the light hits them, circles, arcs, columns or spots of light appear in the sky that are sometimes whitish and sometimes colored.
Source: Krone
I am an experienced and passionate journalist with a strong track record in news website reporting. I specialize in technology coverage, breaking stories on the latest developments and trends from around the world. Working for Today Times Live has given me the opportunity to write thought-provoking pieces that have caught the attention of many readers.
