Free Halo Simulation Program
© Jukka Ruoskanen 2010
To get started
- Download the software package (zip, 400kB) and the user manual (pdf, 2.3MB)
- Extract the zip -file into a suitable directory and keep the two components of the software, HaloPoint.exe and Simulation.dll, always in same directory
- Start HaloPoint.exe (and perhaps glance the manual) and you're ready to go!
System requirements
- Windows OS (tested with XP Home, XP Pro, Vista, Win 7)
- In order for HaloPoint 2.0 to function properly the Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 has to be installed. Most (Microsoft) operating systems have it as a default, but if it is missing in your computer, it can be freely downloaded from Microsoft pages.
Contact
halopoint2 (at) gmail (dot) com
Halos
Views of Sky
Links
Known Issues, updated: 12th April 2010
Introduction
HaloPoint 2.0 is a software for simulating halos, an intriguing group of atmospheric phenomena. Several tens of individual halo forms are known because the various shapes and orientations of tiny hexagonal ice prisms allow light to take numerous different paths in an encounter with a crystal, ranging from simple refraction paths through a wedge to complex ray paths involving several internal reflections. HaloPoint 2.0 calculates these paths and displays the corresponding halos on the celestial sphere. With a user friendly interface several parameters can be fine tuned to obtain near to a perfect match between one's halo photograph and simulation. Read more from the Features -section and download User Manual (below).
HaloPoint 2.0 Download
Start making your own halo simulations! Download HaloPoint 2.0 from the link below. Size of the zip -file is 400kB. Just extract into hard disk and run.
Download HaloPoint 2.0User Manual
User manual of HaloPoint 2.0 gives a description of all the features of the software. Download from the link below (pdf-file, 2.3MB).
Download User ManualFeatures
HaloPoint 2.0 traces light rays through ice crystals (hexagonal lattice, Ice Ih) according to laws of geometric optics and produces a coloured scattering plot of the dots of light created by the rays that escape the crystals...
read moreExamples
Introductory HaloPoint 2.0 parameter files can be downloaded, and some simulation trials are presented to give a new user something to start with. Simulations are easy to set up, but fine tuning may require a lot of effort...
read moreHaloPoint 2.0 is a free software, and intended for personal use. You may not redistribute or sell this software in websites or by any other means. HaloPoint 2.0 is available for download in the hope that it will be useful, but it comes without any warranty.
Extensive testing and validating measures have been taken to ensure correctness of the simulations, but since the code has been written as a hobby and not by a professional software developer, there may lurk some yet unidentified errors within the software. Users are encouraged to report all software faults and exceptions to the email address shown at the software homepage.
Please, acknowledge the use of HaloPoint 2.0 in publications and websites and use the following reference in your publications:
HaloPoint 2.0
http://www.saunalahti.fi/~jukkruos/halopoint2.html
© Jukka Ruoskanen