I keep seeing this ring around the moon every few months. I always tell myself I want to take pics of that, but the damn thing only lasts about 10mins or so and I never have time to get my camera and tripod.

I GOT IT THIS TIME!!

It's called a "moon ring" or "winter halo" and is usually caused by ice crystals that form high in the upper atmosphere.

The effect is similar to what you'd see in a rainbow: light from the moon passes through those crystals and is refracted.

More specifically -- as the moons light passes through crystals in Cirrus clouds, the light reflected. If the crystals are oriented correctly and positioned just right, then the result is a halo effect.

from my back yard

http://www.flickr.com/photos/derekwheeler/8404209168/http://www.flickr.com/photos/derekwheeler/8404209168/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/derekwheeler/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/derekwheeler/8403256177/http://www.flickr.com/photos/derekwheeler/8403256177/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/derekwheeler/, on Flickr

thought I would share. ( I know not everyone has a facebook )

 

Those pics look sick. Did you know the ring was going to be there tonight?

 

thanks!
not at all. I walked out in my back yard to smoke and let the dogs out . I looked up, seen it, and ran vigorously through the house to the driveway to get the tripod out of my car, then to my room (tripping over my cats ) to get the camera and memory card out the PC . I finally got out back just in time to snap a few.

 

That looks awesome

 

Badass!

 

Once you catch the "double halo" we can talk. (What does this mean?!?!?!)

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQSNhk5ICTI[/media]

 

lmao umm.. thats a double rainbow.

 

So bad ass! Nice story time post accompanied with pics too. And we now have an answer to the age-old question of "who let the dogs out".

 

Way cool!

 

I know but when you catch the double halo if you act like you are on some serious drugs like that guy and post a video on YouTube (real or utilizing the video equivalent of Photoshop), you might be able to make some $$ out of the deal...