Kaleidoscope Effect 

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• Recently, people of Bangalore observed a bright rainbow ring around the sun for a few seconds. This is a rare optical and atmospheric phenomenon known as Kaleidoscopic Effect which is also known as “22-degree circular halo”.

• A 22-degree circular halo is observed around the sun and occasionally around the Moon. It is also called a moon ring or winter halo. 

• This phenomenon occurs when rays from the sun or moon get refracted through hexagonal ice crystals present in cirrus clouds. Cirrus clouds are thin, detached, hair-like clouds formed in the atmosphere, at a height of 20,000 feet. 

• The halo or ring forming around the sun or moon has an apparent radius of 22 degrees.