Well . . not quite. Star Photographer Terry Aldhizer captured this photograph of a “Sun Dog” (or “Mock Sun” or “Phantom Sun”) which is an atmospheric phenomenon that consists of a bright spot on one or both sides of the sun. The phenomena often also occur with a luminous ring known as a 22° halo.
Sun dogs are a member of a large family of halos, created by light interacting with ice crystals in the atmosphere. They typically appear as two subtly-colored patches of light to the left and right of the sun at the same elevation above the horizon as the sun. Sun dogs can be seen anywhere in the world during any season, but they are not always as obvious or bright as this one.
The exact etymology of the term “sun dog” remains largely a mystery but one theory is that it comes from Norse mythology that references names in the Scandinavian languages of two wolves hunting the sun and the moon.
One thing is for certain – the horse grazing below is totally oblivious to the beautiful scene that is taking place high above him. Which is a good reminder: There is no substitute for paying attention.
