Celestial Wonder: Lunar Halo Illuminates The Night Sky in the Gorge
Residents of the Columbia River Gorge were treated to a stunning celestial phenomenon last night.
A photo of the lunar halo shining above St. Peter’s landmark in downtown The Dalles at around 10:30 p.m. in The Dalles on March 21, 2024. Photo: Cole Goodwin
By Cole Goodwin
The Dalles, Ore., March 22, 2024 – Residents of The Dalles and the Columbia River Gorge were treated to a stunning and rare celestial phenomenon on last night: a lunar halo.
A view of the lunar halo as seen from The Dalles Bridge. Photo: Cole Goodwin
A lunar halo is the name given to a phenomenon in which a beam of light appears to encircle the moon, casting a spellbinding glow across the night sky.
The rare and captivating sight brought awe and wonder to those lucky enough to witness it, and sparked curiosity about its origins and meanings.
A lunar halo, as explained by experts, is caused by the refraction, reflection, and dispersion of light through ice crystals suspended in the cirrus clouds high in the Earth's atmosphere. These ice crystals act much like a prism, bending the light to create a ring of light 22 degrees from the moon. (The specific angle is due to the hexagonal shape of the ice crystals, making the halo phenomenon not just beautiful but a marvel of natural optics.)
A more vivid halo suggests a more dense concentration of ice crystals.
The lunar halo as seen from the intersection of 4th and Lincoln Street in downtown The Dalles. Photo: Cole Goodwin
Lunar halos are accompanied by a wealth of folklore and superstition. Some traditions believe that a lunar halo is a sign of good luck, balance, harmony or a message from the spirits. Others see it as a sign of transformation and change.
But perhaps the most common piece of folk knowledge suggests that a halo around the moon predicts wet or stormy weather. This belief isn't entirely unfounded, as cirrus clouds, which contribute to the formation of halos, often precede weather fronts that bring precipitation and current weather forecasts predict rain in the Columbia River Gorge on Friday and Saturday.
But while the scientific explanation of lunar halos demystifies this ethereal spectacle, it doesn't diminish its beauty or the sense of wonder it inspires. For many, a lunar halo represents a reminder of the natural world's majesty and the mysteries that unfold above us.
As community members in the gorge swap stories and shared pictures of the lunar halo, the event also serves as a reminder of the shared human experience of awe at the beauty of our universe. Whether viewed through the lens of science or folklore, last night’s lunar halo was a gift to all who saw it, a celestial phenomenon that bridges the gap between earth and cosmos, science and myth.
For those who missed the spectacle, there's always hope for another. With eyes turned skyward and a bit of luck, the skies above the gorge may yet reveal more wonders.
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