Directory of Sun Dogs Resources

Home > Kids and Teens > School Time > Science > The Earth > The Atmosphere > Optical Effects > Sun Dogs

A sun dog is an atmospheric optical phenomenon caused by reflection and refraction of sunlight by ice crystals that make up cirrus clouds. When attempting to look at sun dog, do not look directly at the sun.

Resources in This Category

• Arctic Treats: Sun Dogs

  http://www.explorenorth.com/library/weekly/aa112699.htm
  Offers an illustrated look at sun dogs.

• Parhelions or Sun Dogs

  http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/HBASE/atmos/halo22.html
  Diagrams and pictures explain how sun dogs form.

• Sundogs: Mock Suns or Parhelia

  http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/opt/ice/sd.rxml
  Explains the physics of why they occur, with a diagram.

• Sundogs: Parhelia

  http://www.atoptics.co.uk/halo/parhelia.htm
  Features images of sun dogs and tells why they occur.

• Wikipedia: Sun Dog

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_dog
  Encyclopedia article describing how sun dogs form.

 

Home > Kids and Teens > School Time > Science > The Earth > The Atmosphere > Optical Effects > Sun Dogs

 

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