A celestial ring of wonder - Nature's atmospheric artistry

In the tranquil vault of the northern part of Indian sky, a celestial dance unfolded around the sun and then it has been seen in several other parts as well including Paschim Medinipur which has left us, the observers awestruck. It’s A sun halo, a transient masterpiece of light and ice.  This optical phenomenon occurs when light interacts with ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere, creating a halo or ring around the sun. It's a beautiful sight, often resembling a luminous circle or arcs around the sun, sometimes accompanied by colourful spots or halos, seems like the firmament with whispers of sapphire, amethyst and emerald creating an outworldly aura.

In Indian culture, such sightings often spark curiosity and interpretations, sometimes seen as auspicious or a harbinger of change. In fact across the culture this event has interpretation leading towards the omens of change.

However, scientists explain it through the physics of light refraction, reflection, and dispersion through ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere, typically in cirrus or cirrostratus clouds. The halos form when sunlight enters hexagonal ice crystals in the clouds. These crystals refract and reflect light, bending it at angles that create the halo effect. The halo exhibits colours ranging from red on the inside to blue on the outside, similar to a rainbow but with less distinct colour separation. Sun halos can be indicators of weather changes, as they often precede the arrival of a warm front within a day or two.

In our daily monotonous life, the Sun Halo is an obvious reminder of the natural wonders that can captivate and inspire us unexpectedly. It is a reminder that even in the mundane, magic lurks, waiting to be unveiled by those who dare to look beyond the ordinary. The sun halo, a shimmering anomaly, challenges our perception of the world, inviting us to embrace the wonder that lies just beyond our grasp.

@Sanchita Roychowdhury

Head - P.R & Digitisation

GOPSAI AVINANDAN SANGHA

Editor