Sundogs

[henrya]

Yesterday, following the heaviest downpour I've seen for some time, just after 8pm (BST) I noticed a very obvious sun-dog (or twenty-two degree parhelion, to give it its technical name). I have uploaded a picture on The Great Outdoors Gallery. They are sometimes also called 'mock suns'.

These appear on the same level as the sun, at a twenty-two degree angle from it. Often there is one either side of the sun, but yesterday this one, on the left, was the only one I could see.

They are caused by ice crystals in the upper atmosphere, or in clouds, and are created by refraction and reflection effects. Sometimes they are just white, and at other times you get a rainbow effect, as here.

henrya

[StuartDH]

Well spotted henrya...this is one of those things that I've probably seen without even realising it, but I'll be keeping an eye out for them from now on.

Here's a link to your photo

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ga...hp?i=1996&c=21

[Tamworth Weather]

Thats a very strong image of a sundog, well spotted

[henrya]

Two more sundogs seen yesterday evening - but not very high quality ones for photograping. They keep changing as the sun sinks to the horizon, and whenever you pick up the camera they become less obvious! I'll keep looking!

henrya