Brits share delight as 'halo' spotted around moon across UK

26 November 2023, 19:14

Social media users have shared their delight after spotting the "unbelievable" moment a "halo" could be seen around the moon
Social media users have shared their delight after spotting the "unbelievable" moment a "halo" could be seen around the moon. Picture: Alamy
Kieran Kelly

By Kieran Kelly

Social media users have shared their delight after spotting the "unbelievable" moment a "halo" could be seen around the moon.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Meteorologist Laura Tobin shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the phenomenon is caused by the refraction of moonlight from ice crystals in the upper atmosphere.

Social media was awash with people sharing pictures they took of the "halo" around the moon, including Angie Burns, a TV and radio presenter at Marlow FM.

Ms Burns, who is based just outside Wokingham, told the PA news agency she managed to capture the phenomenon on Saturday night from her front door.

A moon halo, an optical illusion that causes a ring around the moon
A moon halo, an optical illusion that causes a ring around the moon. Picture: Alamy

"It was the first time I've seen something like this so close," she said.

"(It was) unbelievable and yet tranquil."

Geographer Simon Collins told PA he was "delighted" to catch a glimpse of the moment.

Read More: Nasa’s Lucy spacecraft discovers tiny moon around asteroid during close flyby

Read More: Boris Johnson ‘bamboozled’ by science and ‘looked broken’ as he questioned Covid response, says Sir Patrick Vallance

"I'm a keen weather observer (and) run a local weather station so am always delighted to see lovely weather phenomena as so many others did last night as well," the 57-year-old, who took the photo in Reigate, Surrey on Saturday night, said.

Some described witnessing the occurrence as "amazing", with others commenting that it was "very weird" and "like a nighttime rainbow".

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Donald Trump

Trump ex-adviser tells trial of firestorm over leaked ‘grab women’ tape

Hardeep Singh Nijjar banner

Canadian police arrest three people over killing of Sikh activist

Mick Jagger

Mick Jagger gets into spat with Louisiana’s Republican governor

The family of Stuart Everett have paid tribute to him

'He did not deserve to die the way he did' Family pays tribute to man whose headless torso was found in nature reserve

Left to right: Shane Cunningham, Leo Knight and Cartel Bushnell

Teenager who stabbed 16-year-old to death at Bath birthday house party jailed for life as two others also sentenced

Hope Hicks

Former presidential media adviser takes stand in Trump hush money trial

Flooded town in Brazil

Dozens believed dead as southern Brazil is hit by worst rain in 80 years

Footage of the flooding (via AP)

At least 29 dead, 60 still missing after heavy rains in southern Brazil

A group of people were hit by a car in Tameside.

Shocking moment car ploughs into group of people in 'hit-and-run' outside polling station as two arrested

Donald Trump

Gagging order on Trump does not stop him from testifying, says judge

Alfie Lewis was stabbed to death near a school in Leeds

Boy, 15, found guilty of murdering teenager Alfie Lewis as he walked to meet friends near Leeds school

Labour hails big local election wins but Sunak says public will stick with Tories at general election despite dismal results

Labour hails local election wins but Sunak says public will 'stick with' Tories at general election despite poor results

Mr Sunak has called a meeting for later this month.

Rishi Sunak summons university chiefs amid ‘serious concerns’ over antisemitism following clashes on US campuses

A woman has been hit by a bus outside Victoria station.

Woman rushed to hospital after being hit by double-decker bus outside London Victoria station

'Hero' father who fought off Hainault 'sword killer' posts update from hospital bed and thanks NHS for 'keeping me alive'

'Hero' father who fought off Hainault 'sword killer' posts update from hospital bed, thanking NHS for 'keeping me alive'

David Skaith, Kim McGuinness and Clare Ward have all been elected as regional mayors

Labour wins mayoral races in 'Rishi Sunak's backyard', York and North Yorkshire, North East, and East Midlands