Sundog question

[xoxoGOATSxoxo]

I was thinking about sundogs today, and remembered this picture from June. At the time I thought it was just a short rainbow, but could it have been a sundog? Either way, I've never seen such a short rainbow before this one, or such a long sundog, so that's cool. If it was a sundog, it would have been the 4th one I've seen this year, and usually I'm lucky if I see one! I've only ever seen them in the winter, though. Can they even be seen in the summer?

Just curious.

[mldrenen]

i must've seen a half dozen of them this summer, so yes, they definitely can be seen in the summer. typically i see more in the winter, though.

as far as your picture, i've never seen one that big. pretty neat.

[Vickie44]

Well that explains the hallucinations I thought I was having lol

[Bearfootfarm]

The picture appears to be a rainbow.

Sun Dogs are always beside the Sun (at a 22* angle) and at the same height above the horizon as the Sun

[kendall j]

I just saw one yesterday afternoon. That is a neat picture. It appears that the rainbow is curving upside down. I've never seen that before.

Edited to add: I think I may have found what that is a picture of. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumzenithal_arc

[||Downhome||]

that's god smiling! must be doing something right to see it four times in a summer

though should you fail to gain the creators benevolence I kinda fear what other signs he may send you.

but seems four times in a summer don't think your going to fall from favor and will bet if you keep your eyes open you will see something even greater.

I know your looking at it like a natural/scientific occurrence but like I said creator (first one to use science and create nature) and I'm no religious nut but really that's what I see it as! you truly are blessed.

[ErinP]

I didn't think sundogs had colors...
The ones I've seen don't, anyway.

[Sonshine]

I had never heard of sundogs before. When I first saw the post all I could think of was sun tea. So what exactly is a sun dog?

[Bearfootfarm]

So what exactly is a sun dog?

It's an optical effect caused by the Sun shining through high icy clouds that produces bright areas off to the sides of the Sun

Sometimes they will have some rainbow colors

http://images.google.com/images?hl=e...n+dog&gs_rfai=

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoEnmRtQOr...2-snow+dog.jpg

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...26tbs%3Disch:1

[xoxoGOATSxoxo]

Thanks guys.

[Trixie]

Yes, thanks.

You learn something new everyday.

[4nTN]

A friend of mine thinks they are pollution made by jet contrails or Chemtrails.
Like the sheen of oil in the water near a marina left by boats.They say contrails are just water vapors left by the jets exhaust systems,I`m not so sure.
On a sunny winter day look for contrails,I bet you`ll see a lot of sundogs.

I`m only talking about the sheen of colors I frequently see in the sky.I`m not even sure those are even considered true sundogs.Not like the "mock sun" looking sundogs.The ones with the halo type arcs I believe ARE a natural phenomenon.

[Paumon]

This site has photos and explanations of all the atmospheric halos and other visual phenomena to be seen due to ice crystals in the atmosphere. Some stunning photos in here: http://www.atoptics.co.uk/halosim.htm

[geo in mi]

Hmmm, I'm going back to the ophthalmologist and get my money back. He said "old age--flashers and floaters"

Great picture.
geo

[xoxoGOATSxoxo]

great website! That's really useful.

[Silvercreek Farmer]

I had to look sundogs up, never heard of it before... I don't think we get them much around here...