halo cross

[Plane]

Yes. "This is a halo cross," says atmospheric optics expert Les Cowley. "It is rare and only occurs when the air is very cold because diamond dust ice crystals are required to make it. The crystals are plate-shaped. Reflections from their vertical faces make the horizontal arms of the cross. Reflections from the big top and bottom faces of the crystals make two vertical pillars."

"The halo cross is beloved by artists and illustrators," says Cowley. Antarctic explorers like it, too.


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