Sun halo during Carina onslaught mesmerizes Bohol residents

A sun halo is seen in the skies of Tagbilaran City in Bohol on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. Leo Udtohan/Inquirer Visayas

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Philippines — A sun halo was spotted in the skies here on Wednesday, drawing the attention of many Bohol residents.

Richelle Supat-Taningco captured the breathtaking optical phenomenon and posted it on Facebook.

“Sun Halo appears above our dwelling around 11 a.m. today. In Christianity, some see the halo as a sign of God’s awesomeness and power. Glory to you O God, maker of heaven and earth and things visible and invisible,” Taningco said.

Another resident Mary Joy Padin said she was mesmerized by what she saw, although her astonishment turned into fear.

“My mother said it is a sign of bad omen. When it appears in the skies, it is a warning that something bad or a disaster is coming,” she said.

“You see, it’s very hot and humid in Bohol, while it rains heavily in Manila,” she added.

Onlookers found the phenomenon beautiful on Panglao Island.

It was first seen at around 11 a.m. and lasted for half an hour.

The weather in Bohol was sunny and humid despite the heavy rains in Luzon.

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Super Typhoon Carina

The National Weather Service in the United States said a halo is a ring or light that forms around the sun or moon as sunlight or moonlight refracts off ice crystals present in a thin veil of cirrus clouds.

The halo is usually seen as a bright, white ring although sometimes it can have color.

EarthSky.Org said the ring or circle of light around the sun or moon is called a 22-degree halo by scientists.

Solar halo appears every time a low pressure area or a weather disturbance is expected.