parhelion

[pahr-hee-lee-uh n, -heel-yuh n] /pɑrˈhi li ən, -ˈhil yən/

noun, plural parhelia

[pahr-hee-lee-uh, -heel-yuh] /pɑrˈhi li ə, -ˈhil yə/ (Show IPA). Meteorology

a bright circular spot on a solar halo; a mock sun: usually one of two or more such spots seen on opposite sides of the sun, and often accompanied by additional luminous arcs and bands.

Also called sundog.

Compare paraselene.

Origin

1640-50; alteration of Latin parēlion < Greek parḗlion, noun use of neuter of parḗlios beside the sun. See par-, helio-

Related forms

parhelic, parheliacal

[pahr-hi-lahy-uh-kuh l] /ˌpɑr hɪˈlaɪ ə kəl/ (Show IPA), adjective

Examples from the web for parhelion

The scientific name for sun dogs is parhelion and they are also known as mock suns.

British Dictionary definitions for parhelion

parhelion

/pɑːˈhiːlɪən/

noun (pl) -lia (-lɪə)

one of several bright spots on the parhelic circle or solar halo, caused by the diffraction of light by ice crystals in the atmosphere, esp around sunset Also called mock sun, sundog Compare anthelion

Derived Forms

parhelic (pɑːˈhiːlɪk; -ˈhɛlɪk), parheliacal (ˌpɑːhɪˈlaɪəkəl) adjective

Word Origin

C17: via Latin from Greek parēlion, from para-1 (beside) + hēlios sun

Word Origin and History for parhelion

1640s, from Greek parelion "a mock sun," from para- "beside" (see para- (1)) + helios "sun" (see sol).

parhelion in Science

parhelion

(pär-hē'lē-ən)
Plural parhelia
A white spot appearing at times in the parhelic circle. White parhelia are believed to form from light that is reflected off of atmospheric ice crystals; colored parhelia are believed to form from light that is refracted by atmospheric ice crystals. Multiple parhelia can often be seen simultaneously. Compare anthelion.

Encyclopedia Article for parhelion

atmospheric optical phenomenon appearing in the sky as luminous spots 22 on each side of the Sun and at the same elevation as the Sun. Usually, the edges closest to the Sun will appear reddish. Other colours are occasionally visible, but more often the outer portions of each spot appear whitish.

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