Residents of Mombasa were Tuesday morning treated to an incredibly rare spectacle in the skies.
The stunning appearance of the natural phenomenon was received with mixed feelings. For some, the rainbow-like ring around the sun was a sight to behold, while for others it was strange and terrifying at the same time considering the superstitions associated with the skies.
Soon after it appeared in the skies, many residents took to social media platforms to share pictures and videos.
#Mombasa sun has a #Halo around it today 22nov 2022
Besutigul and frightening 🤒 pic.twitter.com/0XH9EdG833— SergeRingo (@SergeRingo) November 22, 2022
This is happening now in Mombasa the rainbow around the sun… explanation pls pic.twitter.com/ZTx7JnWq4d
— Khalid 🇰🇪 (@khals254) November 22, 2022
Halos are formed when refraction of sunlight occurs through high clouds made of ice crystals, usually cirrus clouds.
According to the Kenya Meteorological Department (MET) Halos are formed when refraction of sunlight occurs through high clouds made of ice crystals, usually cirrus clouds.
Residents of Mombasa county and its environs are experiencing this beautiful phenomenon known as a Halo.
Halos are formed when refraction of sunlight occurs through high clouds made of ice crystals, usually cirrus clouds. #noneedforalarm #enjoythesight #kot pic.twitter.com/jhovH6c4B2— Kenya Met Department 🇰🇪 (@MeteoKenya) November 22, 2022
FLOODS
Astronomers say the phenomenon also known as circular halo of the sun or occasionally the moon occurs when sunlight refracts through clouds in the sky drifting about 6-7 kilometers about our heads. These clouds contain millions of tiny ice crystals.
Experts have also denied that sun halo is a sign that a great flood is coming.
This is not the first time Kenyans have observed this natural phenomenon.
The Halo ring around the Sun ☀️ Mombasa pic.twitter.com/alPy5wqayu
— RJ_MotorXpert (@Official_Rotich) November 22, 2022