📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Rb.sg
Weather
Rare 22‑Degree Sun Halo Lights Up Bengaluru Sky, Residents Stunned
✍️ Asianet Newsable
🗓 05 Sep 2026, 08:49 AM
👁 34
A 22-degree sun halo formed over Bengaluru on Thursday, drawing awe from locals as the phenomenon lit the sky with a bright ring.
A striking atmospheric display unfolded over Bengaluru on Thursday when a 22-degree sun halo encircled the sun, creating a luminous ring that captured the attention of passers‑by. The halo, visible from early afternoon, was reported across several neighbourhoods, with residents stepping out of homes and offices to witness the rare sight.
Sun halos are caused by the refraction of sunlight through ice crystals suspended in high‑altitude cirrus clouds, and a 22-degree radius is the most common form. Meteorologists note that such halos appear when the atmosphere contains a sufficient concentration of uniformly oriented hexagonal ice crystals, a condition that is relatively infrequent in Bengaluru's tropical climate.
Local observers described the scene as “magical” and “like a giant rainbow around the sun.” The Karnataka State Meteorological Department confirmed the phenomenon, stating that the clear sky and thin high‑level clouds created the perfect optics for the halo. No safety concerns were associated with the event, and officials reminded the public that looking at the sun directly remains hazardous.
The unexpected display has sparked a surge of photographs and videos on social media, with many users sharing the images under hashtags related to Bengaluru weather. While the halo is a natural optical effect, its appearance has sparked renewed interest in atmospheric science among the city’s residents.
Sun halos are caused by the refraction of sunlight through ice crystals suspended in high‑altitude cirrus clouds, and a 22-degree radius is the most common form. Meteorologists note that such halos appear when the atmosphere contains a sufficient concentration of uniformly oriented hexagonal ice crystals, a condition that is relatively infrequent in Bengaluru's tropical climate.
Local observers described the scene as “magical” and “like a giant rainbow around the sun.” The Karnataka State Meteorological Department confirmed the phenomenon, stating that the clear sky and thin high‑level clouds created the perfect optics for the halo. No safety concerns were associated with the event, and officials reminded the public that looking at the sun directly remains hazardous.
The unexpected display has sparked a surge of photographs and videos on social media, with many users sharing the images under hashtags related to Bengaluru weather. While the halo is a natural optical effect, its appearance has sparked renewed interest in atmospheric science among the city’s residents.