Moon-Dogs

"Sun dogs" is a common atmospheric phenomenon, where a coloured patch of light can be seen to the left and/or to the right of the sun and often also as a ring, or halo, around the sun. Less known and much more rare are moon dogs, which are caused by the refraction of moon-light by ice crystals in cirrostratus clouds. They can only be seen when the moon is bright and when the conditions for forming are right. Tonight a beautiful Moon Halo with Moon Dogs could be seen over Kvaløya in the early morning hours. In the lower image, the rising Venus can also be seen.

Moon Halo with Moon-dogs

Moon Halo with Moon Dogs and the planet Venus rising to the left in the image