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.

Noun

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