Our planet produces many spectacular light shows, such as aurorae (Borealis & Australis), ball lightning (including the super awesome atmospheric lighting), and the odd meteor shower. I would give certain appendages to be able to witness these in the flesh, but none more so than the splendidly epic Sundogs.
Sundogs appear to the left and right of the sun, best viewed when during sunrise or sunset. This effect is also referred to as a mock sun, due to the fact it appears to show three suns in the better examples. Unlike aurorae, sundogs can be viewed all over the world, although they are rare. So there’s a semi-good chance of viewing one, which makes me happy.
This natural phenomenon is a byproduct of hexagonal ice crystals, curiously named diamond dust (or more scientifically called clear-sky precipitation), which under certain conditions cause the effect.
What actually causes this is a bit beyond me, but the basic principle is that of refraction. Detailed explanation of sundogs can be found on Wikipedia and for those not interested in reading too much mumbo jumbo, like myself, here is a diagram of how it all works.
Some juicy photographs of this spectacle after the jump.
If anyone has witnessed a sundog, please drop a comment and let us know your thoughts. If you have managed to photograph one, you are morally obliged to send them in!
10 replies on “Superific Sundogs”
These look really awesome, I’m quite surprised as to how I have never heard of such things before!
Awesome post and awesome pics!
yeah it’s something i’ve not come across myself until recently. makes you wonder what other phenomena are out there.
I saw a sundog the morning of my daughters 1st birthday this past september. I went out befor sunrise to take pictures on my families farm. Very cooll
congrats on the birth of your daughter! sounds like you had a spectacular day.
I first saw and learnt about sundogs when I was on a skiing holiday in Vermont. I thought everything about them was awesome then and I still do. Thanks for an awesome post :devil:
:chic: 1st November 2010 @ 11h00am Saw a sundog in South Africa today !! Awesome 8-)
nice! btw where in sa are you, if you don’t mind me asking?
Easy, I believe it was up in Joburg, and it was more a halo than a sundog. See here for the report from News24.
wow some spectacular shots there.
luckily they are more common in cape town, except i’ve been living here for almost 25 years, i am still yet to see one :P
shot for the link.
:-)) Hello it was at the office in Parktown North, Johannesburg. Have a lovely day 8-)