Two rings of light around the Sun

[mental4astro]

Hi everyone,

I'm aware of the 22degree arc (or ring) that can appear around both the Moon and the Sun. This arc also being responsible for Sun dogs.

Yet a few weeks ago, I observed for the first time two cocentric rings around the Sun while it was at Zenith. A very bright 22deg ring, and a much fainter second ring roughly at twice the angular distance of the first.

This second ring also had more of a spectural spread, rather than the tighter, more white look of the inner ring.

It was visible for only a short time. I chanced upon seeing it on the first instance, and a few minutes later I couldn't see it any more.

What would I have been observing? This phenomenon has been needling away at my mind.

Cheers,

Alex.

[Rob_K]

Probably a 46-deg halo Alex, very rare. Never seen one myself, but here's some info:
http://www.atoptics.co.uk/halo/46hal.htm

As pointed out in the above and depending on how much of it you could see, there are other possibilities.

Cheers -

[jjjnettie]

Alex, the cooler weather will hopefully give us more halos and such. I love them too. Thanks for the link Rob.

[RickS]

We saw this one winter morning in Norway and think it was probably a Tangent Arc: http://rickstevenson.smugmug.com/Other/SmugShots/i-QsDMbbg/0/XL/DSC2808-XL.jpg

Cheers,
Rick.

[mental4astro]

Thanks for that Rob.

How excellent. The 46 degree halo! I've seen plenty of the 22 degree halo around both the Moon and the Sun, but never knew that a 46 halo was possible. A chance view at the right time and place.

And yes, I'd say that its colouration was more red too. It was faint, though now in my minds eye it was stronger. I just need to remind myself of that fact.

Cheers,

Alex.