This morning’s 5 a.m. walk featured a cool phenomenon: a ring around the moon. A china white half moon was high in the sky, and the ghostly, translucent, but clearly visible ring was a considerable distance out from the moon itself. The effect was liked a giant, lidded eye in the sky.
According to this website, moon rings are caused by refraction of moonlight from ice crystals in the upper atmosphere. They are associated with high altitude, cirrus clouds, which may explain why the stars looked somewhat indistinct this morning.
Folklore holds that a moon ring means that storms will be coming, and that the number of stars within the moon ring equal the number of days until the storm will arrive. I didn’t count the stars within the ring, however, so I won’t be able to put that folklore to the test.
omg !!! i saw this early this morning around 1 am in north carolina and it was so big and unique. i never saw something like this before so i had no clue what is was and didn’t know how to explain to people what i say. some of my neighbors came outside to view it as well and we where all just in aww of how this huge ring around the moon looked
LikeLike
its happing in buffalo ny right now at 12 15 am 11-13-2011 never seen anything like this before very cool!!
LikeLike
Same in Elizabethtown, PA right now.
LikeLike
today is the first time i ever witnessed such thing i mean its really amazing. i asked my parents if they knew anything about it and they told me that, rings around the moon means that sickness is coming and they said it had happened before a while back. i thought it had something to do with the moons gravity since the moon itself is water and clouds and partly water. just thought the moon was to close but was doubting my self aswell.
LikeLike
I saw it last night in Fort Mill, SC for the first time in my life at 1:13 am and tried to take a picture but it didnt work. I HAD to come and look it up to see what that meant. It was so amazing! I looked at another website that says about the same thing, although it gets a little more scientific. But this is the most amazing thing i’ve seen since the birth of a child. (Life isn’t that interesting! *smirk*)
LikeLike
We have a ring around the moon tonight, Jan. 7, 2012. Only one star inside the ring visible in Indiana. We’ll see if we have storms soon or not.
LikeLike
I’m seeing this same phenomenon for the first time now in Austin, TX. The full moon is beautiful and the ring is a bonus. (1-7-12; around 9:15pm)
LikeLike
went out side at 11:30 pm on Jan, 7 2012 in IN. butlerville. was unbalivable never seen any thing like it befor, was awsome.
LikeLike
ohio tonite never seen it b4
LikeLike
does this mean the world will end?
LikeLike
I saw this last night around 11pm in Schererville, IN. Awesome!
LikeLike
I see it right now!
LikeLike
in saline michigan
LikeLike
Detroit, Michigan checkin’ in as well with the same.
LikeLike
I also saw this ring at 4.15 asdst in Australia very amazing
LikeLike
DramaMama
I’m in Ocala, FL. I took my pup out at midnight and saw the same thing, but for me it was for the first time. I woke up a neighbor and she was also in awe. It was so beautiful yet puzzling to see. I called channel 9 and they said they had no idea what was causing it but would talk to their weather guy about it. Maybe I should send this page to them!
LikeLike
It happening in Canon City, Co right now, at 7:28 PM on 2-01-12 I have never seen this before.
LikeLike
Just saw this for the first time in Raynham MA around 8:15pm on 2/2/12. Most amazing phenomenon! My 8 y/o was in complete awe and immediately looked it up online. Funny that someone in CO saw it yesterday and I hear today they are having snowstorms that are closing/delaying airports! Very cool!
LikeLike
I sall a halo aruond the moon yestery day
LikeLike
theres one right now in bellflower CA, pretty amazing/creepy sight
LikeLike
Yep- got to watch for 2 hours in Valley Center, CA. It lasted for about 2 hours and then gone…. It was amazing. I’ve viewed rings around the moon before, but not at this level…
LikeLike
I saw thIs three months ago at my backyard i was creeped out at first
LikeLike
I believe, because the tsunami in Malecia happens a day after the moon was with the ring just like that.
LikeLike
that is the best thing l have ever seen and l am 7 đŸ™‚
LikeLike
I just saw one earlier here in the Philippines đŸ™‚ Its really majestic. Wicked but really stunning đŸ˜€
LikeLike
i just saw it today in greenville sc and i think that it is just an amazing thing to see so if there is any body that has not seen it it wood be a great thing to see. đŸ™‚
LikeLike
10/27/2012 11:30 p.m
the ring around the moon was amazing again, i had seen it in Aug and Sept of this year, this time i got too count the stars between the moon and the ring. (4)
as for the weather forecast, (hurricane Sandy is moving in our direction.
LikeLike
we have the ring around the moon right now if you go out now you can see it
LikeLike
saw the ring around the moon last night here in CT! so pretty
LikeLike
we have a ring here in indianapolis with one star
LikeLike
its seen in kerala also it is wnder fl
LikeLike
Just observed this in tonight sky 11/26/2012 at 11:24 pm
it looks like a rainbow around the outer ring, its so bizare
LikeLike
located in northern fla
LikeLike
Me and my family saw it for the first time in Davie, florida! It was so amazing One bright star, I hope nothing happens!
LikeLike
Had one in Mesa Az last night, also one bright star.
LikeLike
23/12/2021. 20.30hrs
just whitnessed this myself its unnervered me at first but looked it up, all smiles now . beautiful to see. staffordshire moorlands.
LikeLike
I saw it last night in York. I thought i was seeing things at first.
LikeLike
Last Saturday, and Christmas Eve 2012 in central Mississippi. It’s kind of awe inspiring. Two bright stars inside the ring… but storm is supposed to be tomorrow.
LikeLike
Tonight this could be seen in Minneapolis. One star/planet one moon’s diameter above the moon and one star/planet at 9 o’clock just outside the halo. Loved it. Bitterly cold and still.
LikeLike
i saw this yesterday before i went to bed, like at nine’o’clock!
LikeLike
Seeing this VERY clearly in Brooklyn Park, MN. Really Beautiful!
LikeLike
Just noticed tonight, Nottingham England
LikeLike
Just seen this tonight too, Horsham, England. Managed to get a photo
LikeLike
just seen this tonight in chopwell near newcastle upon tyne looks amazing
LikeLike
Wow amazing, seen at 10pm Merseyside England. My friend thought it might be the myans prophecy.
LikeLike
happening rigghht now in north carolina, randleman
LikeLike
2:38am over Lake Superior
LikeLike
there is one right now in New Orleans at 8:55 pm on Monday January 21,2013.
LikeLike
the aura of the moon means more shower of blessings… IF YOU HAVE FAITH nothing morbid
LikeLike
There one right now over the Philippines 9pm … now its 945pm.. I am enjoying it…
LikeLike
At 4:00 am in Columbus Ohio. Amazing!
LikeLike
10:15 Athabasca Alberta First time I have ever seen this.
LikeLike
Was out walking around 9 P.M., 04/21/13, in Columbus, Ohio, and saw this same awesome sight, only the moon is not full…it’s about 3/4 full. As of 10:58 P.M., it is still visible! Heavenly!
LikeLike
12:32am tonight as i walked my parents out of my apt after they had visit my wife and I, I looked up in the sky and saw an enormous ring around the moon which i had never experienced. My wife and I were stunned and just surpised to see something like that. The moon was very bright never seened it as bright…..wonder what it really means
LikeLike
21/10/2013 From Brighton and Hove City in East Sussex, United Kingdom.
LikeLike
Moon ring seen here in manila tonight…such a pretty sight.
LikeLike
Here In Philippines I saw It
LikeLike
First time I’ve ever seen this. It happen this morning when me and my co worker looked up at 1a.m.
LikeLike
Its December 3, 2014, and its 8:35 pm and there’s a full moon with a ring. I’m just curies what it is called? Because its a beautiful moon. and I would like to now more about it. Dose anyone know what it is called!!!
LikeLike
it happened last night here in iran
LikeLike
Just seen one in Nottingham ,amazing
LikeLike
We just saw one last night, Christmas eve in York, PA. It was amazing.
LikeLike
Where can I upload my pic
LikeLike