---
title: "What is Sun Halo? also known as \"22-degree halo\""  
description: "What is Sun Halo? also known as \"22-degree halo\""  
author: "Ashutosh Patel"  
published: 2023-04-28  
updated: 2023-04-29  
canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/99602/what-is-sun-halo-also-known-as-22-degree-halo  
category: "space technology"  
tags: ["space science"]  
reading_time: 2 minutes  

---

# What is Sun Halo? also known as "22-degree halo"



## Answers

### Answer by Jujhar Singh

**A** **Sun** **Halo**, also known as a 22-degree halo, is a fascinating [natural](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/300734/benefits-of-shatavari) phenomenon that occurs when light is refracted by ice crystals in the Earth's [atmosphere](https://www.mindstick.com/news/2058/robin-wordsworth-re-creates-the-atmosphere-of-ancient-mars). These halos appear as bright, circular rings around the sun, often with a diameter of around 22 degrees.

![What is Sun Halo? also known as "22-degree halo"](https://answers.mindstick.com/questionanswer/537faa74-1471-4859-b0ed-6270459f0f2f/images/37abe1d0-5766-4f95-962b-a1b30e1cc856.jpeg)

**Sun halos** are caused by the interaction of light with hexagonal ice crystals that are present in high altitude cirrus clouds. When light passes through these crystals, it is refracted, or bent, at an angle of around 22 degrees. This [causes](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/300781/sore-throat-symptoms-and-causes) the light to scatter in a specific way, creating a circular ring around the sun.

**The diameter of the halo** is always around 22 degrees, regardless of the size or distance of the ice crystals. This is because the angle of refraction is always the same for all ice crystals that are oriented at the same angle to the sun.

**Sun halos** are most commonly seen when the sun is low in the sky, such as during sunrise or sunset. This is because the light has to [travel](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/44103/5-things-you-must-know-before-visiting-morocco-travel) through a greater distance of atmosphere, increasing the likelihood of it encountering ice crystals and creating a halo.

**In addition to the 22-degree halo**, there are several other types of halos that can occur around the sun. These include the 46-degree halo, the upper tangent arc, and the lower tangent arc. Each of these halos is caused by a different arrangement of ice crystals and can have a slightly different appearance.

**Sun halos are a beautiful** and awe-inspiring sight, and have been the subject of fascination and mythology for centuries. In some cultures, they are seen as a symbol of good luck or a sign of impending change. In [modern](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/300962/how-modern-life-disconnected-from-nature) times, they are also of scientific interest, as they can provide insights into the composition and [behavior](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/300890/what-is-conduct-disorder) of the Earth's atmosphere.

**Overall**, sun halos are a fascinating natural phenomenon that demonstrate the incredible beauty and complexity of the world around us. Whether viewed as a scientific [curiosity](https://www.mindstick.com/news/2198/long-awaited-salty-region-is-reached-by-nasa-s-curiosity-mars-rover) or a mystical omen, they continue to captivate and inspire [people](https://www.mindstick.com/news/2295/more-people-need-to-monitor-this-crucial-metric-for-heart-health) of all ages and backgrounds.


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Original Source: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/99602/what-is-sun-halo-also-known-as-22-degree-halo

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