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A sun dog (or sundog) or mock sun, also called a parhelion[ 1 ] (plural parhelia) in atmospheric science, is an atmospheric optical phenomenon that consists of a bright spot to one or both sides of the Sun. Two sun dogs often flank the Sun within a 22° halo. The sun dog is a member of the family of halos caused by the refraction of sunlight by ...
Jul 25, 2006 · A Sun halo, a circle of light that creates a circle 22° wide around the Sun, is a related phenomenon. As with sundogs, hexagonal ice crystals suspended in cirrostratus clouds refract sunlight to create the halo, sometimes also called an icebow, nimbus, or gloriole. Unlike sundogs, which generally only be seen when the Sun is near the horizon ...
Jun 2, 2024 · A sun dog is an optical atmospheric phenomenon that causes bright spots at an angle of 22 degrees on one or both sides of the sun. It is also called a mock sun or parhelion in meteorology. Sun dogs occur as a result of the refraction or scattering of light from flat hexagonal-shaped ice crystals that are suspended in clouds.
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Apr 19, 2022 · A moon dog is a lunar equivalent to a sun dog. Other names for a moon dog are a mock moon or paraselene (plural paraselenae). A moon dog is a bright spot on either or both sides of the Moon that is caused by refraction of moonlight by hexagonal plate ice crystals. Like sun dogs, moon dogs appear around 22° directly to the side of the Moon.
Oct 1, 2024 · A sundog is seen about 22° to the left or right of the Sun. Sundogs often form in pairs on either side of the Sun. Often, they appear white, but sometimes they are quite colorful, looking like patches of rainbow. The colors usually go from red on the side nearest to the Sun, shifting from orange to blue on the outside of the sundog.
Apr 15, 2024 · What is a Sun Dog? Sun dogs, also known as parhelia, are a fascinating optical phenomenon that occurs when ice crystals in the atmosphere refract sunlight, creating bright spots of light on either side of the sun. These bright spots often appear as colorful patches of light, resembling small rainbows. Sun dogs are a relatively common occurrence ...
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Dec 29, 2021 · Technically, a mock sun is called a parhelion, from the Greek for “beside the sun.” The etymology of “sun dog” is less clear, and might not refer to an actual dog at all.
