Parhelia Parhelia

Parhelia - Definition and Overview
A sun dog is shown reflecting in the thin clouds. The true sun is outside of the picture to the right.
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A sun dog is shown reflecting in the thin clouds. The true sun is outside of the picture to the right.

A sun dog is an uncommon type of halo, or an atmospheric optical phenomenon associated with the sun. The scientific name for the phenomenon is parhelion (Plural parhelia). It occurs due to internal reflection in ice crystals which accounts for its relative rarity - it is only produced in clouds cold enough to be ice rather than water, which only occurs far below 0°C. These clouds are usually thin and high up. Sundogs (and other associated phenomena such as sun pillars) are common in Antarctica. They occur horizontally either side of the sun at an angular separation of 22 degrees.

External links

Sun dog could also refer to:

Example Usage of Parhelia
neilvaldoz: Clouds clouds clouds clouds Parhelia clouds clouds
eglinski: RT @unfolding: Is your day lacking a little transdimensional eyecandy? Look no further » Parhelia by @MrPrudence http://bit.ly/81QUh6
unfolding: Is your day lacking a little transdimensional eyecandy? Look no further » Parhelia by @MrPrudence http://bit.ly/81QUh6
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