Rare opening of 'eye in the sky'

A solar halo appeared recently at the Wuling Gorge scenic area in Shiyan of Hubei province that netizens dubbed "the eye of the sky".

Between 10:20 am and 11:30 am on Sunday, the sun was encircled by a colorful glow resembling a giant pupil hanging in the sky. This rare celestial phenomenon was captured by hiking enthusiasts visiting the scenic spot.

Meteorological experts said that the solar halo is a natural atmospheric optical phenomenon, usually forming at an altitude of 6,000 to 8,000 meters above the ground. When vast numbers of hexagonal ice crystals float in thin, uniform cirrus clouds, sunlight refracts and reflects through the crystals to form a vivid colored ring. The halo features red on the inner edge and purple on the outer edge, like a dreamy rainbow collar wrapped around the sun.