Have you ever seen a Sun dog? And I don't mean a dog laying in the sun! A sundog is the name for the ring around the sun caused by light interacting with ice crystals in the atmosphere. Old farmers say that sundogs in the afternoon signal fair weather the following day, or as I read somewhere that when seen it meant the night would be 'clear as a bell and cold as he**! ' This turned out to be true as it was calm and clear and this morning it was -31°C!
Actually, sun dogs are when there is not only the 22 degree halo around the sun, but also two bright spots at the same horizon with the sun, which of course gives it the appearance that the sun is walking its dogs. www.google.com/search?q=Sun+dogs&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=t-b5VKLDHtPrggSe2oOgCQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1264&bih=825 I have seen actual sun dogs only once, but have seen rings around the moon many times.
I most likely haven't noticed it because if I am going in or out with the cold weather, I am just anxious to get warm again or back inside. I go out only when I have to....not a lover of the minus weather! I will try and keep an eye out for it. Great picture with explaining it.
