Mysterious circle around the Sun draws attention of residents in PG; understand the phenomenon

A luminous circle around the Sun in Ponta Grossa caught the attention of residents last Saturday (17). The phenomenon, which formed a kind of ring of light in the sky, aroused curiosity and led several people to look for the Portal BnT Online to report what they had observed.

Despite the unusual appearance, the circle has a scientific explanation. According to experts from the Paraná Environmental Technology and Monitoring System (Simepar), it is a solar halo, a natural atmospheric phenomenon caused by the interaction of sunlight with ice crystals present in high-altitude clouds.

What is the solar halo?

According to Simepar, the solar halo occurs when certain high clouds cover the sky of a region. These clouds have small ice crystals that interfere with the passage of sunlight, forming an arc or luminous circle around the Sun.

"The solar halo is a natural and relatively common phenomenon in which an arc of light is configured around the sun," Simepar's experts told BnT Online.

The effect occurs mainly by the refraction of light, i.e. by the change of direction of the sun's rays as they pass through the ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere.

Although it may seem extraordinary to those who observe, the phenomenon is known by meteorology and can be recorded in different regions of Brazil.

Why does the circle around the sun change color?

Another detail that draws attention is the coloring of the solar halo. In some situations, the ring has tones similar to those of a rainbow. In others, it can appear practically white.

According to Simepar experts, these differences are related to the way light interacts with ice crystals.

The size, shape and orientation of these crystals in the atmosphere directly influence the visual characteristics of the phenomenon.

In this way, two solar halos can have different appearances, even if they are caused by the same atmospheric process.

The phenomenon aroused curiosity in Ponta Grossa

The reports sent to BnT Online show how the light circle aroused the attention of residents of Ponta Grossa during Saturday.

The solar halo alone does not represent a situation of danger or a supernatural event. It is an atmospheric optical phenomenon that can occur when favorable conditions exist in the highest layers of the atmosphere.

The guidance for those who want to observe or photograph this type of phenomenon is to avoid looking directly at the Sun, even when it is surrounded by the luminous ring, due to the risk of damage to vision.

Simepar’s explanation clarifies the mystery observed in the sky of Ponta Grossa and shows that the combination of sunlight and ice crystals can produce stunning images in nature.