Lunar Halo Among the Winter Constellations

Lunar Halo Among the Winter Constellations

A bright lunar halo surrounds the Moon on a bone-chilling winter night in Doda, Jammu & Kashmir, India. The circular ring formed as moonlight passed through countless hexagonal ice crystals suspended in high, thin cirrostratus clouds, creating the classic 22-degree halo. Snow-covered hills beneath the sky emphasize the clarity and depth of the winter atmosphere.

The wide-field view reveals several familiar constellations—Orion, Taurus, Gemini, and the Pleiades—along with the bright planet Jupiter, all sharing the frame with the glowing halo. Such halos often signal approaching weather changes, yet for a brief moment, the sky offered a rare balance of atmospheric optics and celestial geometry, captured in a single exposure.

Camera: Nikon Z6 II
Lenses: Nikon 24–70mm f/2.8
Tripod: Professional tripod setup

Photoshop