Can I use this photo for commercial projects?

Yes. PAKUTASO photos are free for commercial use without attribution. See the licensing terms for full conditions.

What is pictured in this photo?

A solar halo — a white circular ring of light surrounding the sun — photographed above a flat, snow-covered plain with a distant mountain range along the low horizon. The phenomenon is captured on a clear winter day with the full halo arc visible against the open sky.

What are good use cases for this image?

This photo suits weather and atmospheric science editorial articles, winter travel and nature content, and calendar or poster designs. The wide horizontal framing and neutral palette adapt easily to full-bleed print layouts and digital headers.

When does this scene typically occur in Japan?

Solar halos over snowy terrain are most commonly observed in Japan from December through February, when temperatures are low enough to sustain ice crystal clouds at altitude. Flat, open areas in Hokkaido and inland mountainous regions provide the unobstructed sightlines needed to photograph the full halo arc.

Solar Halo Over Snowy Plain and Mountain Range — Free Stock Photo

solar halo, halo phenomenon, winter landscape, snow field, mountain range, atmospheric optics, natural phenomenon, winter sky, wide angle, daytime, cold weather, commercial use

Cropped materials are also subject to the Terms of Use.

About This Photo

A solar halo appears in the winter sky above a flat, snow-covered plain and a distant mountain range. The white circular ring of light surrounds the sun and spans a wide arc across the open sky. The horizon is positioned low in the frame, giving the composition roughly two-thirds sky and one-third land, with the halo centered near the upper portion of the image. Solar halos form when sunlight refracts through hexagonal ice crystals suspended in high-altitude cirrus clouds. The resulting ring has a radius of approximately 22 degrees around the sun and appears as a white or faintly colored circle. This optical phenomenon occurs during cold, clear winter days when ice crystal concentration in the upper atmosphere is high. The flat, unobstructed terrain of the snowy plain and the low horizon line create an uninterrupted view of the full halo arc, making it clearly visible without foreground obstruction. This image works well for weather and atmospheric science articles, winter travel editorial content, calendar and poster layouts, and nature photography collections. The wide horizontal composition and neutral color palette of white, pale blue, and grey give it visual flexibility across print and digital formats. PAKUTASO photos are released for free commercial use without attribution, suitable for both digital and print projects.

Suggested Uses

Suitable for blog posts, YouTube thumbnails, presentation materials, website design, editorial articles, social media graphics, and creative projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this photo for commercial projects?: Yes. PAKUTASO photos are free for commercial use without attribution. See the licensing terms for full conditions.
What is pictured in this photo?: A solar halo — a white circular ring of light surrounding the sun — photographed above a flat, snow-covered plain with a distant mountain range along the low horizon. The phenomenon is captured on a clear winter day with the full halo arc visible against the open sky.
What are good use cases for this image?: This photo suits weather and atmospheric science editorial articles, winter travel and nature content, and calendar or poster designs. The wide horizontal framing and neutral palette adapt easily to full-bleed print layouts and digital headers.
When does this scene typically occur in Japan?: Solar halos over snowy terrain are most commonly observed in Japan from December through February, when temperatures are low enough to sustain ice crystal clouds at altitude. Flat, open areas in Hokkaido and inland mountainous regions provide the unobstructed sightlines needed to photograph the full halo arc.