The night sky was truly mesmerizing last Thursday, as the final supermoon of 2025 cast a radiant glow that captured the attention of skywatchers worldwide. This extraordinary celestial event, characterized by a fuller, more luminous moon that appears larger than usual, brought a magical touch to the darkness. Interestingly, some observers in the UK also witnessed an atmospheric phenomenon known as a halo surrounding the moon, which adds an extra layer of wonder to the spectacle.
But here’s where it gets controversial — that halo isn't just a beautiful visual trick; it carries folklore and hints about upcoming weather changes. The saying “Ring around the Moon, rain real soon” has been passed down through generations, suggesting that a ring around the moon often indicates rainy weather on its way.
This supermoon was part of the third such event in 2025, and lucky sky gazers had a perfect opportunity to capture some stunning photographs. The reason the moon appeared so strikingly bright and large is due to the moon’s elliptical orbit around Earth—not a perfect circle—causing it to sometimes be closer and sometimes farther away. When the moon reaches its closest point to Earth, called 'perigee,' and coincides with a full moon illuminated by the sun, we designate this as a supermoon.
During a supermoon, the moon looks notably bigger and more luminous in the night sky, making it a favorite among astronomers and casual viewers alike. When the skies are clear, this creates an ideal viewing experience. However, occasionally, you might also notice a ring around the moon, known as a 22-degree halo. This optical illusion occurs when high-altitude ice clouds (composed of tiny ice crystals) are present in the atmosphere.
Light from the moon interacts with these ice crystals, bending and reflecting in such a way that a luminous ring appears encircling it. Interestingly, the presence of these icy clouds is often a sign that a weather system is approaching, which explains the old folklore predicting rain—'rain real soon.'
On the early hours of Friday morning, the high ice clouds moved into southern parts of England, bringing the halo into view. And sure enough, rain soon followed, spreading across most of the UK accompanied by strengthening winds.
So, while a supermoon dazzles us with its beauty, it also serves as a reminder of the intricate relationship between celestial phenomena and our weather patterns — a perfect blend of science and folklore. Now, I wonder, do you believe that signs like halos can truly predict weather changes, or is it just a charming coincidence? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions below!
