Is it abnormal for solar halos to appear continuously?

In recent days, solar halos have appeared in the northern, central and southern provinces, most recently in Hanoi at noon on May 15.

Sun halo phenomenon in Hanoi at noon on May 15 - Photo: Architect LAI THANH TIN

This afternoon, May 15, many Facebook accounts shared images of a solar halo appearing in Hanoi, Vinh Phuc, Ha Nam ...

Phuong Khong account wrote: "Today, Hanoi suddenly saw a beautiful 'halo' surrounding the Sun. Many people thought it was a strange sign, but in fact this is a rare natural optical phenomenon - a solar halo caused by light shining through ice crystals in high clouds."

"There's nothing to worry about, but according to our grandparents' experience, after the halo there are often changes in the weather. Everyone enjoy the natural beauty, but don't forget to bring an umbrella for the next few days," this account shared.

Account Le Minh H. posted a picture of the Sun's halo with the information: "Is there going to be heavy rain and strong winds or something? People of the capital come out to watch the sky."

Solar halo phenomenon in Hanoi at noon on May 15 - Photo: Phuong Khong

Previously on May 13 and 14, in the provinces of Thai Nguyen, Lang Son, Bac Kan , and Quang Ngai, a solar halo phenomenon also appeared and was posted by the online community.

Many people expressed their excitement, but some people also said that this phenomenon signals "changeable" or "unusual" weather in the near future.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online on the afternoon of May 15, Mr. Mai Van Khiem, director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, said that the photos of the sky showing a circle surrounding the Sun are a phenomenon called "Sun halo", in English called "Sun halo".

This phenomenon often appears on days with good weather, the sky is covered by a thin layer of clouds called CS clouds (cirrostratus, Latin: Cirrostratus).

This is a very thin, transparent cloud layer, existing at an average altitude of 6-8km above the ground and is composed of ice crystals.

"The Sun's halo is formed as a refraction of light as it passes through this layer of rock crystals.

It is different from a rainbow which is a phenomenon of refraction of light through an atmosphere filled with water particles.

The radius of the circle corresponding to the Sun's halo is 22 degrees from our perspective. So this phenomenon is also called '22-degree halo'" - Mr. Khiem said.

Mr. Khiem also emphasized that this is a natural phenomenon, sometimes still observed in Vietnam and is not an unusual sign.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/quang-mat-troi-lien-tuc-xuat-hien-co-bat-thuong-20250515153412777.htm