A physics teacher told how he took this incredible picture of the sun surrounded by a halo from his bedroom window.
Matt Smith, 42, spotted the unusual phenomenon from his home in Embsay, North Yorks., at 6.30pm on August 31.
He quickly whipped out his iPhone 4 and captured the stunning image on camera.
The rare sight – known as a ‘sun dog’ – occurs when sunlight is refracted by hexagonal-shaped ice crystals in high clouds, causing a 360 degree halo.
Dad-of-two Matt, who teaches physics at his local secondary school, said he had never seen the phenomenon before and described it as ”simply amazing”.
He added: ”I can’t wait to bring it into school and teach the children about how it occurs. It’s just incredible.”