A gorgeous full Beaver Moon lit up the night skies this holiday weekend — and it seems it came with an ethereal ring on Sunday night.
November’s full moon is known by many names, but it’s known as the Beaver Moon since it’s a time when beavers are seen getting ready for winter, according to Farmers’ Almanac. This is based on Native American naming traditions, which often reflect the changing landscapes and patterns of nature. This year’s final Beaver Moon came with a stunning winter halo — also known as a moon ring or a 22-degree halo.
This is caused by cold cirrus or cirrostratus clouds forming high up in the atmosphere. The frosty clouds contain millions of ice crystals that refract and reflect light. So if you’re viewing it from a certain angle it will appear as a ring around the moon or the sun, according to EarthSky. Needless to say, the optical phenomenon caused a wave of social media posts.
Here are some of the stunning captures from SoCal and other parts of America below: