The days only get longer from here! The Northern Hemisphere marks the beginning of winter today, but the winter solstice is also the shortest day of the year. The rainbow that encircles the sun in our image, a sun halo, is above Lake Antermoia, in the Dolomite Mountains of northern Italy. Sun halos form when sun or moon light shines through ice crystals suspended in the upper atmosphere. When the light of the sun hits the crystals they serve as a prism, separating the light into individual colors of the spectrum, the same way rainbows occur after a rain shower.
Winter solstice
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Legacy mural in Philadelphia
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At ease, it’s Armed Forces Day
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World Jellyfish Day
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A treaty for science
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World Laughter Day
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Groovy!
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National Park Service anniversary
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Chapel on the rock
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National Bird Day
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Reflecting on fall
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Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, California
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And you thought moths were boring
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Przewalskis horses, Hustai National Park, Mongolia
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World Frog Day
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Star Wars Day
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World Rainforest Day
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Hezké svátky
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Presidents hear the echo of history
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Time for brass bands and beer
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In memory of those lost
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High seas commerce
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White trilliums blooming in Ontario, Canada
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World Sea Turtle Day
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Guanahacabibes National Park, Cuba
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Negratín Reservoir, Granada, Spain
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World Bamboo Day
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A tale of almonds and bees
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Bridges to the past
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Pollinators: not to be sneezed at
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Sunburst at Angkor