The 'ghost sun' shines brightly in the sky of China

Many residents of the city of Khorgas in the western Xinjiang autonomous region saw three Suns hanging in the horizon on the afternoon of December 12.

Two halo rays called "ghost sun" appear on the right and left side of the real Sun in cold weather. This natural phenomenon occurs when sunlight shines through ice crystals suspended in the air, forming a clear aura that can be seen from afar.

Shi Li, a college student, witnessed the scene while calling his sister in Khorgas."At first I thought I looked at the wrong view, but after listening to people talking, I knew the ghost sun phenomenon really happened," Li said.

Meteorological engineer Bian Yun at the China Meteorological Agency said ghosts rarely appear in the country."There are hexagonal ice crystals in semi-transparent clouds in the sky. Sometimes, they can line up horizontally and horizontally in the sky. Sunlight shines on these ice crystals. unusual mirror image , " Yun explained.

Ghost sun can occur at any time of the year.

According to NASA, the ghost sun can occur at any time of the year, although this phenomenon is most observable when the Sun is lower on the horizon in January, April, August and October. also occurs when ice crystals are more common in the air or when cloudy.

1. 40 interesting, unexpected facts about the sun that you don't know (P2)
2. 40 interesting, unexpected facts about the sun that you do not know (P1)