Midday sun halo over Singapore brings delight; pics widely shared online
SINGAPORE – A ring of light that appeared in the sky over Singapore around noon on Aug 25 delighted the young and the old alike, with many snapping photos of the uncommon sight and sharing them online.
The natural phenomenon, known as a sun halo, is produced when sunlight interacts with ice crystals in the atmosphere. The crystals are made of ice rather than water droplets, due to their high altitude.
Images of the sun halo were shared on social media, with some calling on others to head out and witness it for themselves.
On TikTok, a netizen said: "Don't miss it, guys. Go out and watch it (with) sunglasses."
A sun halo spotted above the State Courts around noon on Aug 25.
ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
While it is safe to look at the halo with the naked eye, the National Environment Agency (NEA) had previously said it would be dangerous to look directly at the sun without proper protection.
Ms Natalie Neo was working from home in Farrer Road when she spotted the sun halo around 12.30pm. She told The Straits Times it was her first time coming across this natural phenomenon.
"I felt blessed that I was able to see something like that!" said the 34-year-old, who works in finance.
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Mr Ow Yong Weng Leong noticed the light ring while in town around 1pm. He said that seeing the sun halo was an emotional experience as it brought back memories of his grandmother.
"Today is granny's lunar birthday... (Our family) knows she is looking over us from heaven, with her trademark smile," said Mr Ow Yong, who works in communications.
A sun halo seen in Serangoon Avenue 3 on Aug 25.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
Professor Matthias Roth, who teaches geography at the National University of Singapore, previously told ST: "As light enters one face of the ice crystals and exits through another, it is bent by about 22 degrees, which accounts for the radius of the halo."
According to NEA, a sun halo is not a common sight in Singapore as it is usually covered by low to mid-level clouds.
The agency previously said that it is difficult to forecast the precise location of these ice crystals in the atmosphere, which will determine where the halo can be sighted.
Q: What should you do if a fire breaks out in your home?
A: In the event of a fire, do not panic.
Instead, alert others by shouting, and evacuate the room or area.
Call 995 and activate the nearest fire alarm.
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If possible, close the door of the affected room to contain the fire and turn off the gas mains if you can reach them.
You should attempt to fight the fire only if you can do so without endangering yourself or others.
Ways to extinguish a fire include using a suitable fire extinguisher or hose reel.
If the room is smoke-logged, cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth and avoid inhaling through the mouth.
Get down, keep close to the ground and crawl towards the point of escape under the smoke.
If you are trapped, get to a safe room that preferably has open windows, good ventilation and overlooks a road.
Shut the door and seal the gap beneath it with fabric to prevent smoke from entering the room.
Get to the window and shout for help. Do not attempt to jump out of the building.
If your clothes catch fire, drop to the floor immediately and roll from side to side to smother the flames while covering your face.
During evacuation, head to the ground floor in an orderly manner using the stairs. Do not use the lift.
If you live in a super high-rise residential building with more than 40 storeys and are too far from the ground floor, proceed to the nearest refuge floor instead.
Q: What is a refuge floor?
A: A refuge floor is a special floor that serves as a safe holding area so residents do not have to travel many floors down to leave the building in case of a fire.
Refuge floors are generally provided at an interval of not more than 20 storeys.
They are designed to have natural ventilation and are made of fire-resistant materials.
Such floors can be identified by "Evacuee Holding Area" signs found on the walls around the staircase areas.
Q: What should you do when there is a fire in your neighbour's home?
A: If your neighbour's home is on fire, alert others by shouting, and call 995.
You can try to help your neighbours escape, but should do so only if it
If intending to enter the affected unit to help, you should also ensure that you are wearing appropriate footwear as there may be shattered glass that cracked from the heat.
Those on the same floor and the two floors above an affected unit should evacuate.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force said it is generally safe for occupants of the other floors to remain in their own units with the windows and doors closed. But they should follow the instructions of the authorities if they say evacuation is required.
Q: What are some fire safety guidelines you can follow?
A: Common corridors must have at minimum a 1.2m-wide clear passage that is to be unobstructed at all times.
Placing or storing objects at staircases and staircase landings is strictly not allowed.
Items should also not be placed within riser and hose reel compartments.
Access to the landing valves and risers at common areas must not be obstructed.
The fire alarm system must be kept on at all times.
Fire safety equipment must be regularly serviced and maintained.
Q: What can you do to prevent fires?
A: Do not leave cooking unattended. Turn off cooking appliances and unplug them when not in use.
Keep flammable products and combustible materials away from heat sources.
Do not throw burning embers and cigarette butts into rubbish chutes.
Do not place window curtains or combustible materials near prayer altars, stoves or lighted materials.
Keep lighted candles away from paper or cardboard decorations, curtains and furnishings.
Do not overload electrical outlets. Switch off electrical appliances when they are not in use.
Check for broken wires and exposed wiring. If any are found, have the wires replaced immediately.
Keep lighters, matches and candles away from children.
Do not leave batteries or devices to charge unattended for an extended period of time or overnight.
Do not tamper with, modify, or attempt to repair batteries or devices on your own. Stop using the battery if you notice any damage or deformities.
Keep entryways, common corridors and staircases free from obstructions.
