sólarhrings

Sólarhrings is an Icelandic term that translates to "sun circle" or "sun ring." It refers to the natural phenomenon of a halo, a type of optical atmospheric optical phenomenon that appears as a ring of light surrounding the sun or moon. These halos are typically caused by sunlight or moonlight interacting with ice crystals in the atmosphere, particularly in cirrus clouds. The specific shape and size of the halo depend on the size and orientation of the ice crystals.

In Icelandic folklore and culture, sólarhrings have sometimes been interpreted as omens or signs. While modern science explains them as a physical process, historical accounts may associate them with meteorological predictions or spiritual beliefs. The appearance of a sólarhrings can vary, with common forms being a 22-degree halo, which is the most frequently observed, and a more complex 46-degree halo. Other rarer halo types can also occur.

The scientific explanation for sólarhrings involves the refraction and reflection of light by hexagonal ice crystals suspended in the upper atmosphere. When light enters these crystals at a specific angle and exits, it is bent, creating the colorful or white rings seen around the sun or moon. The colors, if visible, are similar to those in a rainbow, with red on the inside and violet on the outside. The presence of sólarhrings is often an indicator of high-altitude ice clouds, which can sometimes precede a change in weather.