Moon rainbow

[HubbyHatesHockey]

I didn't know this was possible, but my husband spotted a rainbow around the moon tonight. Not sure how long it will stay there, but if you read this soon, go check it out! We thought it was clouds at first, but you can actually see some of the colors of the rainbow.

[MeanGene]

That means it is going to snow within 10 days. Sweet!!

[Kapanen024]

I don't know if this is exactly what you saw, but I thought I'd try and help explain. :)
*Kali*
:angel:

The Question
(Submitted January 02, 1997)

Last night I looked at the Moon. The Moon was full and there was a huge ring around it. I have seen this type of thing before and I don't know what it is. I call it a Moon ring. I was wondering if you could tell me what it is called and how it happens. I think it has something to do with clouds. I am not a scientist but I do have an interest in astronomy. Please write me back.



The Answer
While our expertise is in high-energy astrophysics, we can point you in the right direction for the answer to your question. You are correct in thinking that it is an atmospheric effect. The ring around the Moon is caused by the reflection of Moonlight (which of course is reflected sunlight) from ice crystals in the upper atmosphere. The shape of the ice crystals results in a focusing of the light into a ring. Since the ice crystals typically have the same shape, namely a hexagonal shape, the Moon ring is always the same size.
Here is the title and author of a good reference book to physical phenomenon seen in our atmosphere (geared for HS senior or college freshman level):

Minnaert, M., The Nature of Light and Color in the Open Air, Dover Publications, New York, 1954.

Sincerely,
Andy Ptak and Michael Arida
for the Ask a High-Energy Astronomer team

http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/ask_astro/answers/970102b.html

[Lady J]

I think they call those bits of rainbow "moon dogs" (?) like the daytime equivalent ( sun dogs ) .

[HubbyHatesHockey]

Thanks for the info Kapanen024! I did some poking around myself and found there are all kinds of visual things that can happen with the moon and sun. Apparently "moon dogs" are bright spots that occur on either side of a moon halo.

moon halo (What I saw last night!)
http://www.nightskyevents.com/moonhalo_2000.jpg

moon dog
http://www.sundog.clara.co.uk/halo/images1/mndog2q6.JPG

[SouthernCaniac]

On the news last night they mentioned that they had been getting a lot of calls about it. They said it was due to the high amount of thin cirrus clouds, and that the Northern lights were also in effect. What in the hell the northern lights have to do with us here in nc, i dont know!

[MeanGene]

That means it is going to snow within 10 days. Sweet!!

I told you so!! :spin: :p :vamp: ;) :) :cool: :D

[Turbulence]

That means it is going to snow within 10 days. Sweet!!

I told you so!! :spin: :p :vamp: ;) :) :cool: :D
Verrrry interesting...:D

[HubbyHatesHockey]

That means it is going to snow within 10 days. Sweet!!

I told you so!! :spin: :p :vamp: ;) :) :cool: :D

I thought about your prediction earlier today... very cool! :D I read on the Internet there really is a connection between the conditions that make a moon halo and the conditions for snow, it's not just a saying. Something to do with the ice crystals in the upper atmosphere that create the halo in the first place. I loved it today, snow just makes winter worthwhile!

[RIO]

That means it is going to snow within 10 days. Sweet!!

I told you so!! :spin: :p :vamp: ;) :) :cool: :D

http://jm.g.free.fr/smileys/bearhug.sml.gif You're the handiest Mean Gene in the whole world!


Now predict me a million dollars. :smoke: :D

[Lady J]

That means it is going to snow within 10 days. Sweet!!

I told you so!! :spin: :p :vamp: ;) :) :cool: :D

http://jm.g.free.fr/smileys/bearhug.sml.gif You're the handiest Mean Gene in the whole world!


Now predict me a million dollars. :smoke: :D

Gene's definitely better than having to rely on Grampy's trick knee acting up to predict the weather. :evil: