Teacher and Pre-kindergarten students from Southwest Campus glance (not stare) at a rainbow encircling the Sun. The photo was taken at about 1:15 p.m. Friday, May 6, on the grounds of the administration building.
According to ehow.com, the ring is caused by sunlight or moonlight being diffracted as it passes through cirrostratus clouds that are usually at altitudes above 20,000 feet. Cirrostratus clouds are composed mostly of small ice crystals that spread out into a thin layer. They are sheet-like, and the sun and moon can be seen through them easily.
According to ehow.com, the ring is caused by sunlight or moonlight being diffracted as it passes through cirrostratus clouds that are usually at altitudes above 20,000 feet. Cirrostratus clouds are composed mostly of small ice crystals that spread out into a thin layer. They are sheet-like, and the sun and moon can be seen through them easily.