People of Hyderabad had been in for a pleasant surprise on Wednesday, courtesy of the sun. The city rang in the Telangana Formation Day with a uncommon atmospheric phenomenon that had most residents staring at the sky, taking in the scenic sight. Citizens had been pleasantly shocked to spot a huge rainbow-hued halo about the sun in the morning. This uncommon optical phenomenon is identified as the ‘22 degree circular halo’. Excited residents quickly shared photos of the spectacular view on social media.
Sun halo, also identified as ’22 degree halo’, is an optical phenomenon that happens due to sunlight refracting in millions of hexagonal ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere. It is identified by this name as the light requires the type of a ring with a radius of about 22 degrees about the sun or the moon. When formed about the moon it is named a moon ring or winter halo. Unlike the sun halo which is coloured in hues of the rainbow, winter halos are largely closer to white than any other shade.
Take a look at the photos and videos that had been shared by the people today of Hyderabad on Twitter.
Telangana Rashtra Samithi’s Social Media Convenor, Jagan Patimeedi, wrote: “Mesmerised by the sun halo in Hyderabad” even though sharing a pic..
Mesmerized by Sun Halo in #Hyderabad ☀️☀️☀️???? ????#JaiTelangana#TelanganaFormationDaypic.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 yet another user.
Sun Halo now seen in Hyderabad.
Hyderabadi’s Go out & Look at the Beautiful Sun correct now!
Inform all your mates & specifically the kids to notice this uncommon atmospheric phenomenon. ???? pic.twitter.com/rCqJo715Cs
— Amit Bhawani (@amitbhawani) June 2, 2021
One user pointed out that the halo had formed on the state’s 8th formation day.
#SunHalo in Hyderabad
Happy #TelanganaFormationDay2021pic.twitter.com/zbzFXOnoZv
— Deepthi Ravula (@deepthiis) June 2, 2021
Some even stated that the rainbow halo was a befitting commence to June, which is celebrated as Pride Month.
The rainbow halo about the sun which can be seen in Kalaburagi and Hyderabad is so devine. The sun actually screamed Gay rights!
Happy #pride y’all! pic.twitter.com/QeB6Vb8GG8— ???????? (@shashxnkreddy) June 2, 2021
The Rainbow ring or a Sun Halo, which was spotted in Bangalore was in Hyderabad today.
Also Happy Pride y’ll, Bleed Rainbow!????
(I could just get the half ring even though)
.
.#sky#rainbow#rainbowring#sun#PRIDE#naturepic.twitter.com/tue4toFCi6— nikita roy (@nikitar81572805) June 2, 2021
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 stated.
1:11 pm, Hyderabad, India.
A Sun halo is triggered by the refraction, reflection, and dispersion of light via ice particles suspended inside thin, wispy, higher altitude cirrus or cirrostratus clouds. pic.twitter.com/2zOUcD5Kmd— aimen (@aimenwastaken) June 2, 2021
Take a look at some of the other reactions.
Beautiful circled Rainbow about sun in #Hyderabad#Rainbow#Halopic.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 strategies on how to get the fantastic photo of the halo.
#SunHalo in Hyderabad.
Take a look, but never attempt hunting straight at the sun (and use a filter + pretty quick exposure if you happen to be utilizing an costly camera).Cc @HiHyderabadhttps://t.co/tsDdR8jYhjpic.twitter.com/4jGvEInwI2
— Pallab De (@indyan) June 2, 2021
The identical phenomenon was also reported in components of Bengaluru last week.