Sundog Sighting

[EMSC]

Been a while since I've gotten a good sundog sighting. Bitter cold in Denver (like much of the west/mid-west) this morning. Probably around -10F when I took this cellphone pic on the way to work...

 

[jamesdeluxe]

I'll bite... I have no idea what a sundog is.

My brother in Denver said that yesterday morning, it was -17. Must be brisk in the mountains.

I remember in 1983, it didn't get above 0 in Denver for nine straight days. My brother leased 18-wheel rigs at Ryder, and the diesel engines were DOA.

 

[Tony Crocker]

I recall this at Chatter Creek last year:

So I know what it is, but what are the conditions for it? Are the very cold temperatures a necessity, water vapor condensing into ice crystals or something?

 

[EMSC]

I have no idea what a sundog is

It's a visual phenomenon that can occur giving a very bright spot (or spots) ~20something degrees away from the actual position of the sun. Not rare exactly, but not particularly common phenomenon either.

what are the conditions for it?

Very basically, a certain type of ice crystals suspended in the air. There are several phenomenon that can occur with ice crystals including colored halo's, sundogs, etc... I believe Sundog's only occur when the sun is very low in the sky. Not certain if it is literally required, but the only Sundog's I've ever seen were at very cold temps (below 0 at least).

And your pic is the first sundog I've seen -below- the sun.