Sun Halo Over Mangaluru: Stunning Rainbow Ring Around the Sun Leaves Residents in Awe

On September 11, 2025, residents of Mangaluru were mesmerized by a rare celestial phenomenon - a Sun Halo. The optical event, marked by a rainbow-coloured ring encircling the sun, was visible from several parts of Karnataka's capital city late Friday morning.

The dazzling spectacle reportedly appeared around 1.53 pm and lasted for over an hour, drawing the attention of locals, photographers, and social media users who shared stunning visuals online.

What Causes a Sun Halo?

A Sun Halo forms when sunlight is refracted by millions of ice crystals present in high-altitude cirrus clouds, which hover more than 20,000 feet above ground. These crystals act like tiny prisms, bending sunlight and creating a circular rainbow-like ring around the sun.

Much like rainbows, halos are visible only when viewed at specific angles. Sometimes they appear as plain white rings, but under the right conditions, vibrant spectral colours emerge.

Mangaluru Residents Stunned by the Spectacle

For many Mangaloreans, the sight was both awe-inspiring and educational. Social media platforms quickly filled with videos and photographs, with several users calling it a "once-in-a-lifetime view."

Weather experts explained that the presence of cirrus clouds on Friday morning was the key factor behind the rare formation.

Nature's Science Lesson in the Sky

The science behind the halo lies in how sunlight interacts with ice crystals. As the light bends and splits while passing through them, it produces the glowing circle around the sun - a natural display that beautifully bridges science and wonder.

The September 11 Sun Halo offered residents not just a treat for the eyes but also an opportunity to reflect on the complex beauty of atmospheric phenomena. Events like this underscore how ordinary weather conditions can create extraordinary spectacles in the sky.

For many who witnessed it, the halo turned into a memorable experience, reminding them of nature's power to surprise and inspire.