sun dog

Ice-crystal illusion

A sun dog is a bright spot or halo that appears on either side of the sun, caused by sunlight refracting through ice crystals in the atmosphere.

Sun dogs typically appear as luminous patches at the same height as the sun, often with a reddish tinge on the side nearest it.

They're most common in cold weather when the air contains ice crystals: We spotted sun dogs flanking the winter sun.

Also called a parhelion.

atmospheric

parhelion

Mock solar apparition

parhelic circleHalo parallel to horizon
light pillarAtmospheric optical column phenomenon

optical

refraction

Wave bending between media

dispersionScattering across space
prismaticLight-dispersing, multicolored
diffractionWaves spreading past obstacles

spectrum · rainbow · iridescence · red spot · luminous · bright spot · glare · brilliance · radiance · spectral colors

ice crystals

cirrus clouds

High, thin ice formations

diamond dustSuspended frozen precipitation
crystallineClear, ordered, brilliant
high altitudeGreat distance upward

appearance

horizontal position

elongatedStretched beyond usual dimensions
fuzzySoft and unclear

folklore

Norse mythology

Scandinavian pagan religion

Categories

phenomenanorthern lights, eclipse, earthquake, solar eclipse, volcanic eruption
skyclouds, blue sky, cloud, moon, stars
sunsol, solar, sunspots, solar flares, solar radiation
weather phenomenatornado, wind, hurricane, gust, blizzard
celestial eventssolar eclipse, lunar eclipse, meteor shower, eclipse, supernova
light phenomenarainbow, refraction, diffraction, spectrum, prism

Opposites

solar vs. lunar atmospheric phenomena

sun doglunar halo

Atmospheric ring around moon

halo phenomena type

sun dogsolar halo

Luminous ring around sun

parhelic circle · rainbow · glory · corona

visibility conditions

sun dogclear sky

Atmosphere without clouds

darkness · overcast sky · night

Family

sundog, sundogs

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