19th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Arctic Sun

This photo was taken in Finland, just a few degrees from the Arctic Circle. During the dark winter months, the sun barely peeks above the horizon. On this day, tiny ice crystals in the atmosphere refracted sunlight to create a halo around our star. The brighter patches to the left and right of the sun are known as sundogs.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 01.2019
Date Uploaded: 11.2021
Photo Location: Haukijärvi, Finland
Copyright: © Michael West