ID :
211922
Mon, 10/10/2011 - 08:34
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/211922
The shortlink copeid
MALAYSIANS ABUZZ OVER 'MOON HALO" PHENOMENON
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 (Bernama) - The "Moon Halo" phenomenon from 10pm last night in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor is not uncommon but often occurs when the moon goes through a certain phase.
Langkawi National Observatory assistant science officer Karzaman Ahmad said a ring around the moon was formed due to refraction of moonlight through ice crystals in cirrus clouds 5-10km from the earth's surface.
"The ring should have been in rainbow colours but because the moon does not has its own light, (the moon reflects the light from the sun) the colour effect is limited and not visible," he said when contacted by Bernama on Monday.
He said the phenomenon depends on cirrus clouds in the atmosphere as well as the angle and shape of ice crystals.
"Moon Halo created from ice crystals can be hexagonal but last night it was in the shape of a ring at 22 degrees angle."
Karzaman said the phenomenon occurred to the sun about five or six months ago and known as "Sun Halo".
He dismissed claims by some individuals that the event signifies THAT an untoward incident would happen to the earth.
Late on Sunday night, Facebook users uploaded pictures and discussed the phenomenon on Twitter saying it was strange leading to mixed reaction.
-- BERNAMA
Langkawi National Observatory assistant science officer Karzaman Ahmad said a ring around the moon was formed due to refraction of moonlight through ice crystals in cirrus clouds 5-10km from the earth's surface.
"The ring should have been in rainbow colours but because the moon does not has its own light, (the moon reflects the light from the sun) the colour effect is limited and not visible," he said when contacted by Bernama on Monday.
He said the phenomenon depends on cirrus clouds in the atmosphere as well as the angle and shape of ice crystals.
"Moon Halo created from ice crystals can be hexagonal but last night it was in the shape of a ring at 22 degrees angle."
Karzaman said the phenomenon occurred to the sun about five or six months ago and known as "Sun Halo".
He dismissed claims by some individuals that the event signifies THAT an untoward incident would happen to the earth.
Late on Sunday night, Facebook users uploaded pictures and discussed the phenomenon on Twitter saying it was strange leading to mixed reaction.
-- BERNAMA
