Sundog Above Bellingham, Washington

December 02, 2007

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Provided and copyright by: Rebecca Jones
Summary authors & editors: Jim Foster, Rebecca Jones

The scintillating sundog or parhelion shown above was photographed over Bellingham, Washington on July 21, 2006. Hexagonal plate ice crystals in cirrus type clouds formed this colorful parhelion. In order for parhelia to be observed, the plate shaped crystals must be aligned with their flat faces horizontal. Note the white "tail" protruding to the right of the sundog (away from the direction of the Sun). Sundogs are found approximately 22 degrees to the left and or right of the Sun.