A solar halo is formed by the refractIon of sunlight through cloud suspended ice crystals as opposed to raindrops or other liquid water suspended in the air. Sometimes only arc sectIons are visible as opposed to a full circle. Brighter sectIons can occur above, below, and lateral to the center (where the sun is visible).
Strong ice halo in a hazy sky. Taken with fish-eye lens attachment on Canon 400D and 18-55mm kit lens, at 18mm. Landscape mode.
