Ring around the moon!?

[SmashingKirby148]

I don't know if this is for everyone, but there is this MASSIVE ring around the moon where I live! It's not like Saturn or anything, its just a weird smudge around it. My dad said it was the weather. Unfortuantly I have no pictures.

[PDCWolf]

If you mean those halos that form around the moon, like these:

IIRC, those are caused by the light coming from the moon passing through some really thin, ice-crystal-rich clouds. Where I live it's a telltale of bad weather coming, mostly ground frost.

[SmashingKirby148]

If you mean those halos that form around the moon, like these:

http://simonhampel.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/2008-07-19_-_40d_6620.jpg

IIRC, those are caused by the light coming from the moon passing through some really thin, ice-crystal-rich clouds. Where I live it's a telltale of bad weather coming, mostly ground frost.

That's it, but it was alot wider.

[problemecium]

It's probably metallic oxide salts.

[Whirligig Girl]

It's probably metallic oxide salts.

This is just the best ever. Did you know that they don't even use PURE OXYGEN in passenger aircraft? Not even first class!

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That's it, but it was alot wider.

Nothing more than a beautiful effect. I've seen it a few times. It, like rainbows and their potential double-flavors, can be seen in several sizes.

[PakledHostage]

That's it, but it was alot wider.

Don't be confused by the wide angle lens that was used to take that photo. Halos like the one shown are offset from the moon by 22°. A diameter of 44° spans a quarter of the sky from horizon to horizon. That IS pretty big.

Edit:

Also, I just noticed that you're in Ireland. There is a geomagnetic storm going on right now. You are in the right part of the world to have a good chance of seeing auroras tonight. Maybe it is the northern lights? Try to take a photo if you have access to a camera that can do a long exposure (like 15-30 seconds at ISO 3200 and f/4.0 to f5.6).

Edited February 1, 2015 by PakledHostage

[sal_vager]

More info in 22ø halos here at Wikipedia.

Beautiful things, you might see moon dogs as well if you're lucky

[LordFerret]

Small rings are the result of water vapor, large rings are the result of ice crystals.