Why Do We See a Ring Around the Moon?

We do sometimes see a ring around the moon. A ring or circle of light around the moon is caused by the refraction, and by reflection of moonlight from tiny ice crystals in thin, wispy clouds that are high above the Earth.

The moonlight reflects off the ice crystals and forms a big ring. Scientists call the ring a halo.

Ring around the moon is a rare optical phenomenon, which happens during cold months. Some halos have the colors of rainbows.

High, thin clouds often move ahead of storms. So when you see a halo around the moon, you know there is a good chance that rain is on its way.

Halos sometimes seem around the sun and for exactly the same reasons. A ring around the sun usually means that a storm is coming, too. So now you know Why Do We See a Ring Around the Moon?

Most people say a halo ’round the moon indicates rain within three days. Other folks say it’s a sign of an oncoming frost or snow.

In the Anglo-Cornish dialect of English, a halo round the sun or the moon is called a cock’s eye and is a token of bad weather.

The term relates to the Breton word kog-heol (sun cock) which has the same meaning.

In Nepal, the halo round the sun is called Indrasabha with a connotation of the assembly court of Lord Indra – the Hindu god of lightning, thunder and rain.

Content for this question contributed by Steve Reimer, resident of Clarksville, Ohio, USA