Lake Mendota Sun Dog

September 05, 2004

Dscn0679

Provided by: John Rummel, Madison Metropolitan School District
Summary authors & editors: Jim Foster; John Rummel

The above photo showing a variegated sundog or parhelion over Lake Mendota, Wisconsin was captured on August 6, 2004. Sometimes, all that's needed is just a touch of color to catch one's eye. As the Sun was sinking on this summer evening, ice crystals in the approaching cirrus cloud deck produced this sundog -- 22 degrees to the right of the Sun. A corresponding "dog" to the left was visible as well but wasn't nearly so picturesque.

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