mock sun

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mock sun

A mock sun appears beside the sun in a cold, hazy sky.

Definition

Noun: 1. A bright spot of light appearing in the sky at the same altitude as the sun, often on a luminous ring; an atmospheric optical phenomenon caused by the refraction of sunlight through ice crystals in the atmosphere. It is a type of parhelion (plural: parhelia) and is commonly called a "sun dog."

Usage
  • The term "mock sun" is used to describe the specific visual phenomenon of one or more bright, sun-like spots appearing beside the sun.
  • It is a technical or scientific term but is also understood in general descriptive language.
  • It is typically used in singular or plural form ("a mock sun," "mock suns") and often appears with the verb "to see" or "to observe."
Examples
  • Noun:
    • Sailors reported seeing a bright mock sun to the right of the actual sun just before the storm.
    • The appearance of two mock suns on the parhelic circle is a stunning but not uncommon sight in cold climates.
    • Scientists explained that the mock sun was caused by hexagonal ice crystals in cirrus clouds.
Advanced Usage
  • "To see/observe a mock sun": This is the standard phrasing for witnessing the phenomenon.
    • We were fortunate to observe a mock sun during our Arctic expedition.
  • The phenomenon is often part of a larger display, so it can be described as "accompanied by a mock sun" or "flanked by mock suns."
    • The sun was flanked by brilliant mock suns, creating a spectacular atmospheric display.
Variants and Related Words
  • Parhelion (n): The formal, scientific term for a mock sun.
  • Sun dog (n): The common, informal name for a mock sun.
  • Parhelic circle (n): The luminous white ring, or halo, upon which mock suns (parhelia) often appear.
Synonyms
  • Parhelion (n): The direct scientific synonym.
  • Sun dog (n): A common colloquial synonym.
Related Phrases
  • Atmospheric optics / optical phenomenon: The broader category to which mock suns belong.
  • Ice crystal halo: A general term for halos and related phenomena caused by ice crystals, including mock suns.
mock sun

A mock sun appears beside the sun in a cold, hazy sky.

Noun
  1. a bright spot on the parhelic circle; caused by diffraction by ice crystals
    • two or more parhelia are usually seen at once

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