What is a parahelio?

A parahelio, also known as a sun dog or mock sun, is a meteorological phenomenon characterized by the appearance of two bright spots on either side of the sun, often forming a halo-like shape. It occurs due to the refraction of sunlight through ice crystals in the atmosphere, typically found in cirrus clouds.

The parahelio spots are often colored red or orange, and can be seen best when the sun is low on the horizon. The term "sun dog" comes from the fact that the bright spots mimic the appearance of a dog's eyes on either side of its head.

Parahelios are not rare occurrences, but are more commonly seen in colder climates such as Canada and Scandinavia. They have been observed for centuries, and were even mentioned in paintings and literature from the Middle Ages.

While parahelios can be a beautiful sight to see, they are also associated with colder temperatures and weather patterns, as they are caused by ice crystals in the atmosphere.