anthelion

A bright anthelion appears opposite the sun in the sky.

Definition

1. Noun (plural: anthelia)
   • Meteorological phenomenon: A luminous, whitish patch or ring that appears in the sky opposite the sun, often as a bright spot or halo. It is caused by the reflection and refraction of sunlight by ice crystals in the atmosphere, typically forming part of a complex halo display.

Usage Examples

• (A bright spot opposite the sun, caused by ice crystals.)
• (A halo phenomenon opposite the sun.)

Advanced Usage

• "Anthelion arc": A curved, white arc that passes through the anthelion point, often seen as part of a complete halo ring.

  • The anthelion arc was clearly visible, forming a perfect semicircle opposite the sun. (A halo arc passing through the anthelion.)

• "Anthelion point": The specific location in the sky directly opposite the sun where the anthelion appears.

  • He pointed to the anthelion point, where the light seemed to concentrate into a bright patch. (The exact spot opposite the sun.)

Variants and Related Words

• Anthelion (n): The singular form; the phenomenon itself.
• Anthelia (n): The plural form, referring to multiple such phenomena.
  • Several anthelia were observed during the Arctic expedition. (Multiple bright patches opposite the sun.)

Synonyms

• Counter-sun: A less common term for the bright spot opposite the sun.
• Antisolar point: The point in the sky directly opposite the sun, though not a synonym for the halo itself.

Related Idioms

• No common idioms exist for this technical term.

Note on Usage

• This word is primarily used in meteorology, atmospheric optics, and astronomy. It is not part of everyday vocabulary.