A bright, sometimes colorful spot of light appearing to one or both sides of the sun, formed when sunlight refracts through flat, hexagonal ice crystals aligned horizontally as they fall through high, thin cirrus clouds. Sun dogs typically appear at the same height as the sun and about 22 degrees to either side of it, often tinged red on the side nearest the sun and blue-white further away, and are most vivid when the sun is low on the horizon.
Facts
Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceEither of two colored luminous spots that appear at roughly 22 degrees on both sides of the sun at the same elevation 1 PeriodicityMost commonly seen during winter in the middle latitudes, exclusively associated with cirriform clouds 1 Sources
1. Glossary, NOAA National Weather Service
Glossary entry for parhelion, first sentence
Either of two colored luminous spots that appear at roughly 22 degrees on both sides of the sun at the same elevation.
Glossary entry for parhelion, second sentence
They are most commonly seen during winter in the middle latitudes and are exclusively associated with cirriform clouds.
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