All phenomena
Bright, sometimes coloured spots to either side of the Sun, also called parhelia.
16-Bit Take (analogy): Two bright companion sprites flanking the Sun.
The science
Plate-shaped ice crystals falling with roughly horizontal faces refract sunlight into preferred viewing directions.
How to spot it
Keep the Sun blocked by a building or another opaque object; do not look directly at it or use unfiltered optics.
Where
Where suitably oriented ice crystals are present in the atmosphere.
Best season
Possible year-round; the crystals aloft need not mean freezing weather at the ground.
- ▸Sunlight refracting through ice crystals produces the spots.
- ▸With a low Sun, they appear roughly 22 degrees to either side.
- ▸One or both spots may be visible, with red toward the Sun.
Rarity and hazard ratings are informal editorial guides, not measured occurrence rates or official warnings. Local conditions determine actual risk.
Related guides
- CIRRUS
Wispy ice crystals painting the digital sky
- STRATUS
Uniform gray screen saver across the sky
- WARM FRONTS
Gentle giant - warm air slowly conquering cold territory with steady rain