This striking and often beautiful halo around the moon is caused by the refraction of moonlight from ice crystals in the upper atmosphere.” Scientists refer to this phenomenon as a 22-degree halo.

MOLINE, Illinois — Recently, the full moon took on a neat appearance, which several of you noticed. Connie from Alton, Illinois, sent us this picture of the moon that appeared to have a halo ...

This forms a glowing halo around the moon. "If you see a 22-degree halo, you might also, if you're very lucky, see a 46-degree halo, which is enormous.

Our Meteorologist Nathan Gidley captured this view in Fort Wayne. You can see a full 360 degree halo around the moon and even a dimmer inner ring.

This is called a lunar halo. While not a rare occurrence, lunar halos do not happen every night. They typically happen when thin cirrus clouds streak across the night sky during a full or waxing moon.

Lunar halo with moon dogs on left and right side of moon spotted in Gautier, MS by Becky Fitz November 26, 2023 (Beck Fitz). This phenomenal photo was captured in Gautier Sunday night, November 26 ...

The HALO (Habitation and Logistics Outpost) for NASA's Gateway lunar orbit platform is removed from its transport container at Northrop Grumman’s Gilbert, Arizona, facility on April 3, 2025.

The phenomenon, dubbed a "lunar halo", is caused by ice crystals formed in high clouds. The crystals cause the refraction of moonlight, changing the direction of the light and causing the ring shape.

A lunar halo has been spotted in the night skies across the West Midlands. The ring around the Moon was seen on Wednesday evening in Shropshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

A lunar halo has been spotted in the night skies across the West Midlands. The ring around the Moon was seen on Wednesday evening in Shropshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.