An "unbelievable halo" noticed across the moon in a single day wowed onlookers throughout the UK.

The phenomenon is brought on by the refraction of moonlight from hexagonal ice crystals excessive within the environment.

"The moon's halo or lunar halo is an optical illusion that causes a large bright ring to surround the moon," in keeping with Space.com.

"In effect, these suspended or falling flecks of ice mean the atmosphere is transformed into a giant lens causing arcs and halos to appear around the moon or the sun depending on whether the effect is happening during the night or day respectively."

Historically, the looks of moon haloes has been taken to foreshadow rainfall.

While this isn't strictly true, it's usually the case that clouds will transfer into the realm and produce rain.

Whatever climate follows the spectacle, social media was awash with photos of the moon, together with from geographer Simon Collins, who was "delighted" to seize the occasion.

"I'm a keen weather observer (and) run a local weather station so am always delighted to see lovely weather phenomena as so many others did last night as well," the 57-year-old mentioned.

Angie Burns, a TV and radio presenter at Marlow FM, mentioned she managed to seize the phenomenon on Saturday night time from her entrance door.

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"It was the first time I've seen something like this so close," she mentioned. "(It was) unbelievable and yet tranquil."

Some described witnessing the prevalence as "amazing", with others commenting that it was "very weird" and "like a nighttime rainbow".

Content Source: information.sky.com