Sun Dog
- “what is a sun dog”
- “why are there two suns in the sky”
- “parhelion meaning”
- “22 degree halo explained”
:: COMPARE ::
Sun dogvsSun pillar
The short answer
Both come from the same falling plate crystals, but by different physics. A sun dog is refraction — light bends THROUGH the crystal, so it splits into colours at 22 degrees. A sun pillar is reflection — light bounces OFF the flat faces, so it stays white and forms a vertical shaft.
Side by side
| Aspect | Sun dog | Sun pillar |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Refraction | Reflection |
| Colour | Dispersed | White |
| Shape | Patch at 22° | Vertical shaft |
| Same crystals | Yes | Yes |
Which one you meant
Readers who land here meaning Sun Dog rather than Sun pillar are usually searching for phrases like “what is a sun dog”, “why are there two suns in the sky”, “parhelion meaning”.
Read either one in full