Are There Two Suns? Exploring the Phenomenon of Sun Dogs

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SUMMARY

The phenomenon known as 'sun dogs' is characterized by the presence of a '22° halo', and may also include the '46° halo' and the 'supralateral arc'. These optical effects occur due to sunlight reflecting off ice crystals in the atmosphere. For detailed explanations and visual representations, refer to the relevant Wikipedia articles on these terms. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding these atmospheric phenomena through reliable sources.

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  • Understanding of atmospheric optics
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  • Knowledge of halo phenomena
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Fastmamon
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TL;DR
Good morning, afternoon or evening, in the morning I encountered the phenomenon of the images where there seem to be two suns and a rainbow joined by two solar rings, the "main" sun has two rings, the secondary one had a very very faint one that the camera did not capture, please could you explain to me why the phenomenon occurs, thank you :).
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-08 at 8.33.40 AM (1).webp
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-08 at 8.33.40 AM.webp
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-08 at 8.33.39 AM (2).webp
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-08 at 8.33.39 AM (1).webp
 
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Looks like 'sun dogs' with the '22° halo'. Maybe the '46° halo' or the 'supralateral arc' as well, seeing how there is a secondary ring. They're all, in general, the effect of sunlight being reflected off of ice crystals in the atmosphere.
Wikipedia has articles on those terms, with pictures and some more detailed explanation given. Have a look there and see if your question is answered to your satisfaction. Also worth checking are the other phenomena in the 'see also' sections of those articles, but I think the ones already mentioned are the most likely culprits.
 
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Bandersnatch said:
Looks like 'sun dogs' with the '22° halo'. Maybe the '46° halo' or the 'supralateral arc' as well, seeing how there is a secondary ring. They're all, in general, the effect of sunlight being reflected off of ice crystals in the atmosphere.
Wikipedia has articles on those terms, with pictures and some more detailed explanation given. Have a look there and see if your question is answered to your satisfaction. Also worth checking are the other phenomena in the 'see also' sections of those articles, but I think the ones already mentioned are the most likely culprits.
Thank you very much, just what I was looking for.
 

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