Definitions for "Sun dog"
Keywords:  parhelion, mock, halo, refracted, dog
Same as parhelion.
an uncommon type of halo, or an atmospheric optical phenomenon associated with the sun
A sun dog is one of two very bright spots in the sky that are sometimes seen in a solar halo (a luminous ring that is sometimes seen surrounding the Sun). The two sun dogs are located on opposite sides of the sun. They are also called "mock suns." The halo and the two sun dogs are produced as sunlight is reflected and refracted through tiny, flat ice crystals in the atmosphere. Sun dogs and halos are always at an angle of 22° away from the sun, due to the hexagonal structure of the ice crystals. Sun dogs are also called mock suns, false suns, or parhelia (meaning "beside the sun" in Greek).