Parhelion is a meteorological
occurrence. When the sun shines through ice crystals, spots or bars, often
prismatic, “dog” each side of the sun. They are sometimes called a “winter
rainbow.” Enough ice in the sky may cause a complete circle or arc to appear
around the sun as well, or, rarely, great enough reflection to appear as if
three separate suns hang in the sky.
Conservation Minnesota
Sundog Formation
About Parhelion in literature
and Roarke’s quote
Shakespeare used a famously recorded
environmental event of a brilliant and unusual parhelion occurring during the
Battle of Mortimer’s Cross as the opening lines in the play Richard III.
See
this article for more detailed information and pictures:
“Now
is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this sun of York.”
~Richard III, Gloucester, later to become King Richard III
