Sundog
- 25 July 2010 09:5162050I saw this unusual optical effect just about half an hour before sunset last night. It is a 'Sundog' - a rainbow halo effect at either side of the setting sun. They are caused by sunlight hitting hexagonal ice crystals in high cirrus clouds at just the right angle and bouncing out at 22 degrees.
- 25 July 2010 10:1762051are you single Phil?
- 25 July 2010 10:2762056Thats a pretty photo.
- 25 July 2010 10:4762065sorry Phil how rude of me to ask that direct question. The photo is lovely. I suppose you have some of the Millennium sunrise?? I was on St Margarets beach very early that morning but do not have any really nice photos.
Also I could do with a photo ( of me) for a dating site. Do you do personal photos? - 25 July 2010 11:2062080No pictures of the Millenium sunrise I'm afraid Anne, that would involve getting up at an unearthly hour - I'm normally just going to bed about then! I'm not a photographer really and I just wander around and try and take pictures of interesting things if I bumble across them. I've never even tried to take portrait pics - I'd probably just get too distracted by a spider in the corner. Very nice of you to ask though.
Has anyone else seen a sundog here? I really don't know how rare they are. It's the sort of thing one sees but doesn't really register, if you see what I mean. - 25 July 2010 11:2662081We saw a sundog many years ago over Castle Ashby in Northamptonshire, with clear rainbows. It was quite beautiful, especially in that setting and at the end of what had been a pleasant and enjoyable day.
I assume it's called "sundog" because the effect follows the sun, rather like a dog following its owner. I'd be interested to know when the term first came into use - an online etymological dictionary simply said the origin was obscure.
It seems there are also moondogs. How charming.
Afterthought - so from other planets this phenomenon could also be viewed, I assume, and it would manifest differently according to the atmosphere. At the same time, if the moon can have dogs, then other astronomical bodies might also. That's a fascinating thought.
I wonder, for example, what a Plutodog might look like ...
The Dover War Memorial Project
www.doverwarmemorialproject.org.uk - 25 July 2010 11:3462085"I wonder, for example, what a Plutodog might look like ... "
Probably like this Maggie (I had to get there first with this one):
- 25 July 2010 15:2762169Hi Phil,
Yes I saw one while we were up in Suffolk last year. I did take a photo but I can't find it at the moment. I love rainbows, they always make me feel sort of ..... oh I don't know - just nice lol xThere's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok". - 25 July 2010 15:3062172I like rainbows to still one day i will get that pot of gold lol .
- 5 September 2010 10:2468843Did anyone else here see the beautiful sundog about 17:45 last night? They occur if the sun is shining through high ice crystal clouds if the axes of the crystals are vertical. They occur at 22 degrees to the sun at the same elevation. The second picture shows both the sun and the sundog.
- 5 September 2010 11:2168849Lovely shots Phil, I like sundogs
. - 5 September 2010 19:0868902It was a good film too. Sundog Millionairre!
- 5 September 2010 19:2768910Got these two different one`s, both around 18.00 this evening.
Tell them that I came, and no one answered. - 5 September 2010 20:5068919
@ Sid.
Lovely photos Colin. - 5 September 2010 20:5768924Absolutely brilliant pics Colin - well done old chap. I went out about six-ish this evening to see if I could spot one but failed. I suppose it must depend on being on the correct line of sight angle at exactly the right time in very specific atmospheric conditions.
- 5 September 2010 21:0768931and being sober too phil.
- 5 September 2010 21:2168940Chance would be a fine thing Howard!
- 6 September 2010 19:1268985Thanks Phil, your`s too mate, but it`s not doing my neck any good by looking for sundogs in the daytime, and meteor`s at night.Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
- 19 September 2010 10:4271557Is this a sun dog or just the end of a rainbow? I was taking photos of the ships when I saw it.
There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok". - 19 September 2010 11:2371558Whatever it is, it's a gorgeous picture!
