Newsgallery
Amazing pictures as moon halo lights up UK skies - why circle of light appears and what causes it
The moon has appeared circled by a dazzling ring in the UK skies tonight
The optical illusion that causes a large bright ring to surround the moon is caused by the refraction of moonlight from ice crystals in the upper atmosphere (Image: Shannon Roscoe)1 of 10 
(Image: Caroline Martin)2 of 10 
A moon halo is said to be created when light is refracted, reflected and dispersed through ice crystals suspended in clouds high up in the night sky. The shape of the crystals focuses light into a halo. (Image: Caroline Gaye)3 of 10 ![]()
(Image: Julie Watson)4 of 10 ![]()
(Image: Tay Jade)5 of 10 ![]()
(Image: Zoe Claire)6 of 10 ![]()
(Image: Sophie Woods)7 of 10 ![]()
(Image: Jason Travis)8 of 10 ![]()
There are said to be various types of moon halos, but all are created by the interaction of moonlight with ice crystals in the atmosphere. The crystals then act as prisms, bending and reflecting the moonlight to create the halo appearance (Image: Mark Wilson)9 of 10 ![]()
(Image: Natalie Lee Yates)10 of 10
