Paraselenic Circle and 22° Moon Halo: View from Yukon | Earth Science

Paraselenic Circle and 22° Moon Halo: View from Yukon | Earth Science

Astrophotographer Joel Weatherly: "Last night . . . we were treated to an exceptional display of atmospheric optics, complete with paraselenae, a full paraselenic circle, and a 22° Halo around the Moon."

When sunlight or moonlight reflects or refracts from ice crystals in the atmosphere, an optical phenomenon collectively known as ‘halo’ is produced. When there are plenty of nearly vertical hexagonal ice crystals in the sky, the surfaces of the ice crystals will reflect moonlight like mirrors. A paraselenic circle will be produced if moonlight is reflected.

Yukon is a territory of Canada, bordering British Columbia to the south, the Northwest Territories to the east, the Beaufort Sea to the north, and the U.S. state of Alaska to the west. It is Canada's westernmost and smallest territory by land area.

Image Credit: Joel Weatherly
Location: Yukon territory, Canada

Joel 's website: https://jweatherly.ca
Date: Feb. 28, 2026

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