web analytics

Sundog

Posted on Sep 21, 2014

I have always called these sundogs but I know they can have a variety of names. This is a very bright spot of light that can pop up along the sun. In my experience this happens often during pleasant, cool weather associated with high pressure and cirrus clouds. The light reflects off ice crystals in the atmosphere making it appear red closer to the sun and blue further away as seen here. The sky is always offering us something to examine. In this case it looked very much like something reentering the atmosphere! At least in my imagination…

Sundog sky 0384