Sun Dog
Today there were two suns in the sky: neither of them distinct or spherical, just a brightness breaking through the wound in a cloud, and then, about 20 degrees to the right, another intense brightness, slightly smaller - the sun's dog.
posted by Clare Dudman at 7:16 am
16 Comments:
Hi Clare - I LOVE sun dogs... was fortunate to see a couple of them in Antarctica a year ago. They make me want to drop to my knees and kiss the ground, kiss the air. What a great way to announce the first official day of Autumn in the N. Hemisphere!
'Sundog' is also the title of a rather good juvenile SF book by Brian N. Ball. I'm envious - I've never seen a sundog.
I agree Claire - it is inspiring and uplifting in a strange way. I went out in my dressing gown to the end of the drive with my camera and wanted other people to notice it too. Look at that - two suns!
Brian: what a great title for a book! This is the first time I've ever seen one too. My husband noticed it first. He said he first noticed it because there was a rainbow of colours through the clouds, but by the time I got outside this had gone. I'd thought it was an arctic or antarctic only phenomenon - very surprised to see it over my own house.
The picture was useless, sadly - the sky came out a uniform white.
How could I get to my age and never have heard about this? There were some wonderful pictures online I just found.
How marvellous! I'd love to see two suns, but alas I've never witnessed such a thing, though when I was a child living in the bush, I did see the aurora australis, streaks of silver and rose. Also remember ball lightning hanging from trees, but no sun dogs!
I only heard about it relatively recently, Jim - related are halos (which I have seen around the moon from the UK) and sun pillars (which I have seen in the Arctic).
Oh now I'm envious Anne - I would really love to see the Aurora! And ball lightning... I'd no idea they were stationary things - and to see them hanging from trees. They must have seemed like spectacular Christmas decorations.
What breed was the sun dog? Golden retriever, I hope.
Ah yes, Henry, I do believe it was - he chased immediately after the ball lightning I threw, and returned without getting wet (which I reckoned ruled out the Labrador model).
Sorry, I meant Cromercrox.
I've seen quite a few sun dogs, Clare, but when I think of it, I believe that's mostly been in the winter. Makes sense, I suppose, because sun dogs are a result of ice crystals, which we get a lot of in Minnesota.
Yes, I was surprised to see it this time of year too. Minnesota's weather seems to be a lot more extreme than ours. I suppose you're not far enough from the equator for the Northern Lights, though - just as we are.
Aaargh! My secret identity is exposed!!! And I could have gotten away with it too, if it hadn't been for those pesky meddling kids.
"Scooby, scooby doo!"
or maybe...
"Watch that pigeon, now."
Is this phenomenon what is called a 'perihelion'? Confess to being woefully unscientific (& far from proud of it), & had heard of this only via medieval history (vision of Edward of York & Co prior to winning ? the Battle of Mortimer's Cross).
Very impressed by your packing. Am one who has of necessity to travel light; so know a few of the tricks! But it isn't easy. Bon voyage!
Yes, Minnie - same thing. That, I think,is the more scientific term. I didn't know that about Edward of York. I must have seemed like quite an omen.
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