A rare and stunning 22º halo formed around the Sun today, amazing residents across Sharjah and nearby areas.
How Does a Sun Halo Form?
Sun halos happen when sunlight passes through hexagonal ice crystals in high-altitude cirrus clouds. As a result, a circular ring of light appears around the Sun.
The term “22º” refers to the angular radius of the halo, not the angle of light refraction. Interestingly, such phenomena can also signal a change in weather, like an approaching low-pressure system.
Is It Linked to the Recent Solar Storm?
However, experts confirmed the halo is not connected to the recent solar storm.
Khadija Al Hariri, Operations Manager at the Dubai Astronomy Group, explained the key difference. “Sun halos form when ice crystals in Earth’s atmosphere bend sunlight,” she said. “On the other hand, solar storms are caused by activity on the Sun, such as solar flares or coronal mass ejections.”
She further explained that solar storms send charged particles toward Earth, which may affect satellites and power grids. They also create natural light shows like auroras, she added. Moreover, Al Hariri pointed out the rarity of this phenomenon in the UAE.
“It is usually too hot and dry here for high-altitude ice crystals to form,” she said. Therefore, today’s sun halo remains a purely atmospheric event with no link to solar or space activities.
Local resident also shared his experience. They last saw a sun halo two years ago while walking around Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi.
Additionally, the rare halo was spotted outside the UAE as well. On Saturday morning, residents in Aseer, Saudi Arabia, enjoyed the same spectacular view.
