halobeeld

Halobeeld is a Dutch term used in optics, photography and astronomy to refer to an image that contains a halo surrounding a bright light source. In natural observation, halobeeld describes atmospheric halos around the sun or moon, such as a corona, arc, or ring created by interaction with ice crystals in the atmosphere. In imaging and photography, halobeeld can also denote a visual artifact where bright highlights generate a ring, glow, or halo around the light due to lens effects, diffraction, internal reflections, or sensor blooming.

Etymology and usage: The word combines hal(o) meaning halo with beeld meaning image or depiction. In Dutch-language texts on optics and image processing, halobeeld is used to describe both phenomena observed in nature and artifacts observed in photographs or digital renders.

Causes and variations: Atmospheric haloes arise from light refraction and diffraction on microscopic ice crystals, producing circular or arc-shaped features with characteristic colors. In digital and optical imaging, halobeelds result from lens flare, diffraction from aperture blades, internal reflections within lens elements, or saturation and bloom in sensors. The appearance can be circular, ring-like, or show partial arcs, and may include color fringes depending on the optical path and wavelength.

Applications and interpretation: Halobeeld serves as a descriptive term in education and communication about optical phenomena. In science, it may indicate atmospheric conditions or be considered an imaging artifact to be corrected in data processing. In astronomy and photography, recognizing halobeeld helps distinguish genuine celestial halos from instrumental effects.

See also: halo, atmospheric halo, corona, lens flare, diffraction, imaging artifacts, point spread function.