parhelion

par·he·li·on  (pär-hl-n, -hlyn)

n. pl. par·he·li·a (-hl-, -hly)

A bright spot sometimes appearing on either side of the sun, often on a luminous ring or halo.

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[Latin parlion, from Greek : para-, beside; see para-¹ + hlios, sun; see swel- in Indo-European roots.]

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par·helic (-hlk) adj.

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parhelion [pɑːˈhiːlɪən]

n pl -lia [-lɪə]

(Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) one of several bright spots on the parhelic circle or solar halo, caused by the diffraction of light by ice crystals in the atmosphere, esp around sunset Also called mock sun sundog Compare anthelion

[via Latin from Greek parēlion, from para-¹ (beside) + hēlios sun]

parhelic  [pɑːˈhiːlɪk -ˈhɛlɪk], parheliacal [ˌpɑːhɪˈlaɪək^əl] adj

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parhelion  (pär-hl-n)

Plural parhelia

A white spot appearing at times in the parhelic circle. White parhelia are believed to form from light that is reflected off of atmospheric ice crystals; colored parhelia are believed to form from light that is refracted by atmospheric ice crystals. Multiple parhelia can often be seen simultaneously. Compare anthelion.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

parhelion - a bright spot on the parhelic circle; caused by diffraction by ice crystals; "two or more parhelia are usually seen at once" mock sun, sundog maculation, patch, speckle, dapple, fleck, spot - a small contrasting part of something; "a bald spot"; "a leopard's spots"; "a patch of clouds"; "patches of thin ice"; "a fleck of red"

Translations

parhelion

n (Astron) → Nebensonne f