Silvester D’Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Sep 1: A rainbow encircling the sun - that was the sight here on Friday September 1 that had people looking up at the sky with wonder.

The phenomenon is called '22 degree halo' and is an optical phenomenon caused by water particles or ice crystals in the atmosphere.

The light is refracted at an angle of 22 degrees (hence the name) by the water particles, which makes the circular halo look colourful.

The halo usually appears in cirrus or cirrostratus clouds.

Elders say circle around the sun, if seen in the morning forecasts decrease in rain, and if in the evening, indicates increase in rain. Kumbhashi resident Savithramma who saw the circle during midday said that there may be rain together with sunshine.

Dr M B Nataraj, head of the department of zoology in Bhandarkar’s College here, said that the phenomenon is caused due to refraction from the ice crystals in cirrus clouds at a height of 20,000 feet above sea level. He also clicked pictures of the unsual sight.