Halo around moon on New Years Eve

  • Thread starter Thread starter moose
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Halo Moon Years
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the observation of a halo around the moon on New Year's Eve, with participants sharing personal experiences and observations of this phenomenon. The scope includes anecdotal accounts, potential explanations for the halo's appearance, and variations in visibility due to weather conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes seeing a clear halo around the moon during a New Year's Eve party, noting its visibility diminished later in the night.
  • Another participant suggests that the halo is caused by ice crystals in the atmosphere, creating a prism effect, although the specifics of the conditions are not fully detailed.
  • A participant mentions their wife's observation of a beautiful halo in Northern California, which formed as clouds rolled in after a clear period.
  • One participant shares their experience of thick freezing fog that limited visibility, contrasting it with their desire for foggy conditions to enhance the visual effect of a laser pointer.
  • Another participant questions whether the halo's visibility is influenced by the moon's position or brightness, particularly in relation to cloud coverage observed in Pennsylvania and New York.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants share personal experiences of observing the moon halo, but there is no consensus on the specific conditions or factors contributing to its visibility, leading to multiple competing views and questions about the phenomenon.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference varying weather conditions, such as fog and cloud coverage, which may affect the visibility of the halo, but the discussion does not resolve the underlying atmospheric conditions or the science behind the halo's formation.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in atmospheric phenomena, lunar observations, or those who enjoy sharing and discussing personal experiences related to astronomy may find this thread engaging.

moose
Messages
556
Reaction score
0
Woot!

I was at a party on new years eve and at around 11:30 pm a lot of us climbed up onto the roof of the house (the house was HUGE :bugeye: ) and when I looked up, there was a clear halo around the moon. It was cool O_O. Anyway, a few hours later it was barely visible. It's just awesome that the first time I've ever seen this happened to be on New Years Eve... Several friends of mine have told me about times they have seen this and now I know exactly what they are talking about. I tried taking a picture with my cell, but it didn't work out too well...

Umm, I'm not sure what the point of this thread is (which is why this is in GD!).
 
Physics news on Phys.org
That is a cool thing to see, its caused by ice crystles and the degree{normally somewhere around 20%} makeing a prism effect.
 
moose said:
Woot!

I was at a party on new years eve and at around 11:30 pm a lot of us climbed up onto the roof of the house

Well, it's good you're still alive. :-p
 
My wife Tsu mentioned this. She was in N. California and mentioned that there was a strikingly beautiful halo around the moon at midnight. It had been clear, but around 12 some broken clouds rolled in and the halo formed.

Here, there was a freezing fog so thick that visibility was down to about one-hundred feet.
 
Last edited:
Ivan Seeking said:
Here, there was a freezing fog so thick that visibility was down to about one-hundred feet.

I wish we had thick fog here...ever. I would whip out my green laser and it would be cool...
 
Are you in N. Ca. or is this a coincidence?
 
After that many beers, many things begin to have halos :smile:
 
Ivan Seeking said:
Are you in N. Ca. or is this a coincidence?

I'm in Phoenix... Interesting.
 
Hmm...driving through PA and NY tonight, there was still quite a pronounced halo visible around the moon early in the evening. The sky was very cloudy here too, but is there some reason the halo is so noticeable aside from the cloud coverage? Is it the position of the moon, or is it a bit brighter than usual?
 

Similar threads

Help My Extraterrestrial Friend Arrive to Madrid's New Year's Eve Party
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Challenge Math Challenge - December 2018
  • · Replies 67 ·
3
Replies
67
Views
17K
What New Phenomenon in Seismic Waves Did I Discover?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
8K
Three new books to read about expertise vs. democracy
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Who is the Killer at the Beach Barbecue?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
6K
Meet Evo: Biweekly Series on Mentors & Regenerative Medicine Advances
  • · Replies 64 ·
3
Replies
64
Views
18K
High School Infrared Detectors & The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics
  • · Replies 152 ·
6
Replies
152
Views
12K
News New Twist on Obama Unemployment Prediction
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
8K
Mathematica This Week's Finds in Mathematical Physics (Week 242)
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
At a crossroads (drop out? chase a dream? time out?)
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
5K