ant·he·li·on ( nt-h  l- n, n-th-)n. pl. ant·he·li·a (-l -) or ant·he·li·ons A luminous, white, halolike area occasionally seen in the sky opposite the sun on the parhelic circle. [Greek anth lion, from neuter of anthlios, opposite the sun : anti-, anti- + hlios, sun; see s wel- in Indo-European roots.] |
anthelion [æntˈhiːlɪən ænˈθiː-]
n pl -lia [-lɪə]
1. (Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) a faint halo sometimes seen in polar or high altitude regions around the shadow of an object cast onto a thick cloud bank or fog
2. (Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) a white spot occasionally appearing on the parhelic circle at the same height as and opposite to the sun
[from Late Greek, from anthēlios opposite the sun, from ante- + hēlios sun]
| anthelion (nt-hl-n, n-th-) Plural anthelia A bright white or colored spot appearing at times in the sky opposite the Sun. White anthelia are believed to form from light that is reflected off atmospheric ice crystals; colored anthelia are believed to form from light that is refracted by atmospheric ice crystals. Compare parhelion. |
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