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Solar Halo Glistens Over Mexico City Landmarks

Solar Halo Glistens Over Mexico City Landmarks

A solar halo appeared in Mexico City on Thursday - prompting dozens of calls from worried locals to meteorologists.

The phenomenon, which is actually an optical illusion, is caused when sunlight passes through ice crystals, causing the light to bend into a colourful ring.

Not satisfied with this scientific explanation, locals on social media claimed that an alien invasion was nigh, while other conspirators suggested the government was attempting to blind voters ahead of an election.

The halo was spotted in three cities, most notably above the capital's most famous landmark, the Angel of Independence.

Juan Manuel Caballero, of the National Weather Service, said he had received about 30 phone calls from people who thought it was a "bad omen".

He explained: "It's very common. The thing is that people never look up."