People of Hyderabad were in for a pleasant surprise on Wednesday, courtesy of the sun. The city rang in the Telangana Formation Day with a rare atmospheric phenomenon that had most residents staring at the sky, taking in the scenic sight. Citizens were pleasantly surprised to spot a large rainbow-hued halo around the sun in the morning. This unusual optical phenomenon is known as the ‘22 degree circular halo'. Excited residents soon shared images of the stunning view on social media.
Sun halo, also known as '22 degree halo', is an optical phenomenon that occurs due to sunlight refracting in millions of hexagonal ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere. It is known by this name as the light takes the form of a ring with a radius of approximately 22 degrees around the sun or the moon. When formed around the moon it is called a moon ring or winter halo. Unlike the sun halo which is coloured in hues of the rainbow, winter halos are mostly closer to white than any other shade.
Take a look at the images and videos that were shared by the people of Hyderabad on Twitter.
Telangana Rashtra Samithi's Social Media Convenor, Jagan Patimeedi, wrote: "Mesmerised by the sun halo in Hyderabad" while sharing a pic..
Mesmerized by Sun Halo in #Hyderabad ☀️☀️☀️???? ????#JaiTelangana#TelanganaFormationDay pic.twitter.com/TPUTnX33uz
— Jagan Patimeedi (@JAGANTRS) June 2, 2021
“Hyderabadis go out and look at the beautiful sun right now! Inform all your friends & especially the kids to notice this rare atmospheric phenomenon,” wrote another user.
Sun Halo now seen in Hyderabad.
— Amit Bhawani (@amitbhawani) June 2, 2021
Hyderabadi's Go out & Look at the Beautiful Sun right now!
Inform all your friends & especially the kids to notice this rare atmospheric phenomenon. ???? pic.twitter.com/rCqJo715Cs
One user pointed out that the halo had formed on the state's 8th formation day.
#SunHalo in Hyderabad
— Deepthi Ravula (@deepthiis) June 2, 2021
Happy #TelanganaFormationDay2021 pic.twitter.com/zbzFXOnoZv
Some even said that the rainbow halo was a befitting start to June, which is celebrated as Pride Month.
The rainbow halo around the sun which can be seen in Kalaburagi and Hyderabad is so devine. The sun literally screamed Gay rights!
— ???????? (@shashxnkreddy) June 2, 2021
Happy #pride y'all! pic.twitter.com/QeB6Vb8GG8
The Rainbow ring or a Sun Halo, which was spotted in Bangalore was in Hyderabad today.
— nikita roy (@nikitar81572805) June 2, 2021
Also Happy Pride y'll, Bleed Rainbow!????
(I could just get the half ring though)
.
.#sky #rainbow #rainbowring #sun #PRIDE #nature pic.twitter.com/tue4toFCi6
Many also broke down the science behind the sighting. “A sun halo is caused by the refraction, reflection, and dispersion of light through ice particles suspended within thin, wispy, high altitude cirrus or cirrostratus clouds,” a user said.
1:11 pm, Hyderabad, India.
— aimen (@aimenwastaken) June 2, 2021
A Sun halo is caused by the refraction, reflection, and dispersion of light through ice particles suspended within thin, wispy, high altitude cirrus or cirrostratus clouds. pic.twitter.com/2zOUcD5Kmd
Take a look at some of the other reactions.
Beautiful circled Rainbow around sun in #Hyderabad#Rainbow #Halo pic.twitter.com/a4H9MsXbVf
— Syed Fasahat Ali (@syedfasahat7) June 2, 2021
Mesmerized by Sun Halo in #Hyderabad ☀️☀️☀️???? pic.twitter.com/XGWVIFncpk
— Naveena | నవీన (@TheNaveena) June 2, 2021
One user also dropped tips on how to get the perfect photo of the halo.
#SunHalo in Hyderabad.
— Pallab De (@indyan) June 2, 2021
Take a look, but don't try looking directly at the sun (and use a filter + very short exposure if you're using an expensive camera).
Cc @HiHyderabad https://t.co/tsDdR8jYhj pic.twitter.com/4jGvEInwI2
The same phenomenon was also reported in parts of Bengaluru last week.
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