The Virginian-Pilot
©
A little atmospheric reflection gave the moon a mysterious ring of light overnight.
The white ring that encircled the moon isn’t much of a mystery, according to NASA scientists. The ring is caused by the reflection of the moon’s light from ice crystals in the upper atmosphere.
The hexagonal shape of the crystals causes the light to focus into a ring, according to the "Ask an Astrophysicist" feature on the Goddard Space Flight Center's Web site.
Because of the hexagonal shape, scientists pointed out, the ring is always the same size.
The light of the moon actually is reflected sunlight, they added.
Did you snap a good photo of the moon? Upload it to this HamptonRoads.com community photo gallery.
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Moon
Obama caused it!
Gasses`
I heard it was caused by the methane from too many cow farts.
Its obviously all part of
Its obviously all part of the alien abduction of Tiger Woods...
Cirrus
There was a high layer of cirrus moving in ahead of this weather we are having now.
I bet this was really a sight
out in the desert (out west) - out there you see so many stars there isn't even a spot left....I bet this was really a beautiful sight out there.
Learned this many years ago as mariner:
One of the things taught to me a LOOONNNGG time ago was this: a ring around the moon like last night, usually means you can expect rain (precipitation) within 24 hours. The ice chrystals form the ring and unless something happens (like a front moving in quickly) the ice will turn into precip soon. Not sure how scientific it is but it is usually right (see afternoon/tonights forecast). Kind of along the same lines as the old mariners rhyme: "Red sky at night, sailors delight. Red sky at morning, sailors take warning." Again, more likely than not, it works!
ring around the moon
My father knew many things about the natural world due to American Indian heritage, maybe. He'd use the "sign" (zodiacal) for planting, killing weeds, slaughtering, etc. Always seemed to work. I don't remember those things. I do specifically remember that if there was a ring around the moon, the wider it is, the closer is a storm! I know this to be true from witnessing it many times growing up on the farm in Illinois. Since those days, I've heard that 'the number of stars in the ring shows number of days until storm'. I don't think so, based on experience. Bigger the ring, closer the storm, as my Dad said.
Thank you for your consideration.
svwayneo
The truth
Not many people know it, but the truth is, it is caused by haints.
Sounds plausible
but now, what with the "Climategate" revelations (sorry readers, you'll have to go to another pub to get info on it; the Pilot hasn't been given permission by the BHO Administration to run anything on it) most anything coming from the "scientific" community must be looked at w/ much skepticism.
(Hey Lefties, haven't heard a peep outta ya on Climategate. Another money grubbing, rights curtailing, ruse exploded, eh? Man, it's fun watching the wheels fly off of your little RED wagon.)
It was beautiful
I stepped out side and wondered why it was so bright and looked up to find this great sight of the "halo" around the moon. I was fascinated by it since it was the first time I'd ever seen any thing like it. It was a treat to see.