Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 28 - Think and Discuss - Page 542-543: 106

Answer

Both moon halos and rainbows are produced by light refracting from water (however, it's ice in the first case, liquid water in the second case).

Work Step by Step

A moon halo, also known as a moon ring or a $22^{\circ}$ halo, occurs when ice crystals refract moonlight into a circle. This is similar to how water droplets reflect and refract light into rainbows.
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