parhelion

American  

[pahr-hee-lee-uhn, -heel-yuhn] / pɑrˈhi li ən, -ˈhil yən /

noun

Meteorology.

plural

parhelia

1. a bright circular spot on a solar halo; a mock sun: usually one of two or more such spots seen on opposite sides of the sun, and often accompanied by additional luminous arcs and bands.

---

parhelion British  

/ ˌpɑːhɪˈlaɪəkəl, pɑːˈhiːlɪən, pɑːˈhiːlɪk, -ˈhɛlɪk /

noun

1. Also called: mock sun.   sundog.  one of several bright spots on the parhelic circle or solar halo, caused by the diffraction of light by ice crystals in the atmosphere, esp around sunset Compare anthelion

---

parhelion Scientific  

/ pär-hē′lē-ən /

plural

parhelia

1. A white spot appearing at times in the parhelic circle. White parhelia are believed to form from light that is reflected off of atmospheric ice crystals; colored parhelia are believed to form from light that is refracted by atmospheric ice crystals. Multiple parhelia can often be seen simultaneously.

2. Compare anthelion

---

Other Word Forms

• parheliacal adjective
• parhelic adjective

Etymology

Origin of parhelion

First recorded in 1640–50; alteration of Latin parēlion, from Greek parḗlion, noun use of neuter of parḗlios “beside the sun”; see par-, helio-

Example Sentences

About noon on the 16th, a parhelion, faintly prismatic, appeared on each side of the sun, continuing only for half an hour.

From Three Voyages for the Discovery of a Northwest Passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and Narrative of an Attempt to Reach the North Pole, Volume 1 by Parry, William Edward, Sir

I tried fata morgana, mirage, parhelion, and whatever I had learned of recognized illusion, but in vain sought satisfaction, or anything pointing in the direction of satisfaction.

From The Flight of the Shadow by MacDonald, George

For all the baleful-looking parhelion, god Apollo dispenses the day.

From The Confidence-Man by Melville, Herman

The same parhelion was seen on the island of Manitou in Lake Huron, and accompanied by a very remarkable appearance.

From Old Mackinaw The Fortress of the Lakes and its Surroundings by Strickland, W. P. (William Peter)

Among the remarkable phenomena which came under the observation of the Jesuit Fathers in Mackinaw, was the appearance of a parhelion on the 21st of January, 1671.

From Old Mackinaw The Fortress of the Lakes and its Surroundings by Strickland, W. P. (William Peter)