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A sun dog (or sundog) or mock sun, also called a parhelion [1] (plural parhelia) in meteorology, 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 ice ...
Sundogs are similar to rainbows and more common than rainbows. They are formed by sunlight passing through ice crystal clouds and often indicate rain is on the way. Learn more about how to view and name them.
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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May 24, 2018 · Sundogs in particular are formed when sunlight is refracted in the horizontal plane through six-sided, plate-like ice crystals that float in the atmosphere, or are suspended in high and cold cirrus or cirrostratus clouds. Although sundogs can appear singly, it is more common to see one on either side of the Sun, within a halo of about 22 ...
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 ...
What Sun dogs are and how to see one. Sun dogs can be seen anywhere, any time of year or day. Best bet for seeing one is in the northern hemisphere with the Sun low in the sky.
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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.
