A sundog or mock sun, formally called a parhelion (plural parhelia) in meteorology, is an atmospheric optical phenomenon that consists of a bright spot to one or both sides of the Sun. Two sundogs often flank the Sun within a 22° halo. The sundog is a member of the family of halos, caused by the refraction of sunlight by ice crystals in the atmosphere.
Sundogs typically appear as a pair of subtly colored patches of light, around 22° to the left and right of the Sun, and at the same altitude above the horizon as the Sun. They can be seen anywhere in the world during any season, but are not always obvious or bright. Sundogs are best seen and most conspicuous when the Sun is near the horizon.
The sundog below is approximately in the centre of the photo below, to the left of the setting sun.
This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme,
and also part of the Friday Photo Journal meme.
I love catching signs of these beauties! Great capture.
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