Sun 'Halo' Captures SWR's Attention: Patch Photo Of The Week

TEMECULA, CA — A full sun halo was captured on camera by Temecula Valley resident Jamie Fibiger. A resident "photo of the week" submitter, this meteorological phenomenon definitely caught their attention.

The refraction of sunlight through high cirrus clouds is a fairly common phenomenon, one that sparked him to research an explanation to share with his wife and brother.

Incidentally, Fibiger's brother captured the same sight in a picture taken from the opposite side of town, he tells us.

"It was so large that some people may have missed it all together," Fibiger told Patch. "It was seriously amazing to catch one today, and it lasted for at least a couple hours."

What is a Sun Halo?

The bright white or rainbow ring around the sun is caused when sunlight is refracted, reflected and dispersed by ice crystals in the atmosphere, typically in cirrus clouds or ice fog, according to reports.

Historically, they are referred to as "sun dogs," and can appear as rainbows on either side of the sun, such as this one captured by Patch on Sunday afternoon.

Many think they are good luck! Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful event.

Do you have a photo of the week to share? Send it along to your Patch editor, along with a bit of information about where you were when you took it, and maybe you'll have a chance to be featured on Patch!