anthelia

The disc or circle around the sun can be correctly called "anthelia", and the ring around the moon "halo".

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 11: New Mexico-Philip 1840-1916 1913

A curious phenomenon, to which the name of "anthelia" has been given, and which may probably have suggested to the early painters the idea of the glory surrounding the heads of beatified saints, is to be seen in singular beauty, at early morning, in Ceylon.

Ceylon; an Account of the Island Physical, Historical, and Topographical with Notices of Its Natural History, Antiquities and Productions, Volume 1 (of 2) James Emerson Tennent 1836

It is simply an optical effect, a variety of the phenomenon called 'anthelia,' like

A Trip to Venus John Munro 1889

Before coming to the anthelia, properly so called, or to the colored rings which appear around a shadow, it is as well first to note the effects produced on the clouds and mists that are facing the sun when it rises or sets.

Young Folks' Library, Volume XI (of 20) Wonders of Earth, Sea and Sky Various 1880

These different optical effects are classed together under the name of _anthelia_ (from

Young Folks' Library, Volume XI (of 20) Wonders of Earth, Sea and Sky Various 1880