January 26, 2009

• Sun Dogs

  I made mention of this in a recent post and I finally have some time to write about it.

  Sun Dogs are a phenomena that occur when sunlight is reflected or refracted by ice crystals in the cirrus clouds.  Often it appears as two "mock suns" on either side of the real sun.  Sometimes however there is only one visible sun.  The Plains Indians used this phenomena to predict weather.  Usually when a sun dog is spotted that means a drop in temperature is on the way.  I saw them the other day when it was about 30 and two days later it dropped below zero.  I remember during this summer's heat wave, I spotted them and a couple of days later it rained and significantly cooled off.  I have no clue as to why they are called sun dogs but my assumption is that when there are two on either side of the sun it sort of appears to be a dog's face.
  
  This photo is taken outside of New Ulm, MN.  See the two "fake" suns?  That is the sun dog.  You can also notice a a little rainbow around the reflection.
  
  This is a single sun dog. 
  
  Here's another example of sun dogs at sunset.
  
  This is a sun dog at the South Pole.  The sun was blocked out for the cameraman's protection.  Anyway notice the pronounced rings and rainbows. 
  
  Sometimes the sun dog will appear above the sun during a sunrise thus causing a false sunrise.  This photo is taken from my favorite place in the world.  Underneath all the fog is a city and the Mississippi River.

  Sometimes I bitch and moan about the cold weather but then I get to see these beautiful events so I guess that makes up for the -40 mornings.

  • 12:51 AM
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