December 24, 2007
Moon Halo?
The familiar 22° halo around the Sun or Moon occurs because of refraction in tiny hexagonal ice crystals in the air. With the 60° apex angle of the prism formed by extending the sides of the crystal and the index of refraction of ice (n=1.31) one can calculate the angle of minium deviation to be 21.84°.
The moon halo above was photographed at Pearl River, LA just after the passage of a cold front. It is attributed to refraction in high altitude ice crystals. Ground level temperature was close the freezing point and the relative humidity was about 70%. It had rained the previous day, but was clear most of this day, yet apparently there was considerable high altitude moisture to form the ice crystals. The 22° halo around the sun is usually brighter on the horizontal line passing through the sun because of preferential orientation of flat hexagonal ice crystals as they fall. This produces the parhelia or sundogs. The moon halo appears uniform over the full 22° circle because the moon was close to zenith and there was no preferential orientation from that vantage point.
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So we get a call from my brother “Joshbob” last night and he’s like “look at the moon”. And we’re like “what’s so special about the moon tonight?” So we do indeed go outside in the 35 degree weather.( chilly!) And there is the moon halo sitting there around……well the moon. And it was so awesome! Now my camera was not able to capturer this wonderful event. Turns out that slapping an apple sticker on your camera does not in fact improve the quality of it. Anyway I hope every one has a great Christmas! Bye! o<:)
Amy said,
December 24, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Did you see Mars right next too it? My friend told me to go look at it. lol I forgot to tell you
Joelle said,
December 25, 2007 at 12:39 am
Ohhh is that what that was. We saw a really bright star close to it. I didn’t know it was mars.
Snoopy said,
December 30, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Great Layout!!
Joelle said,
December 31, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Thanks! I like it a lot too.
Snoopy said,
January 12, 2008 at 12:19 am
How did you get your name to link back to your site????? 😀
Joelle said,
January 12, 2008 at 1:19 am
Like on a comment?
joyceburges said,
January 18, 2008 at 5:28 pm
It’s me Victoria-logged in as my mom 😀 But yeah like on a comment.
See ya tomorrow at church!!
Jamie said,
January 22, 2008 at 9:11 am
someone needs to post…
Joelle said,
January 23, 2008 at 7:09 pm
yeaaaaaaaah about that…………….
Snoopy said,
January 30, 2008 at 6:23 pm
HAPPY BIRYHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😀 😉
Joelle said,
January 31, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Thank you Girly.