The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #121115   Message #2640899
Posted By: bobad
25-May-09 - 09:33 PM
Thread Name: BS: A cloud rainbow - thing of rare beauty!
Subject: RE: BS: A cloud rainbow - thing of rare beauty!
A sun dog or sundog (scientific name parhelion, plural parhelia, for "beside the sun") is a common bright circular spot on a solar halo. It is an atmospheric optical phenomenon primarily associated with the reflection or refraction of sunlight by small ice crystals making up cirrus or cirrostratus clouds. Often, two sun dogs can be seen (one on each side of the sun) simultaneously.

Sundogs