Weather Dictionary / Glossary of Terms

Parhelion


   Weather TermDescription / Definition
   Parhelion The scientific name for sun dogs. Either of two colored luminous spots that appear at roughly 22 degrees on both sides of the sun at the same elevation. They are caused by the refraction of sunlight passing through ice crystals. They are most commonly seen during winter in the middle latitudes and are exclusively associated with cirriform clouds. They are also known as mock suns.


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Data courtesy of NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration