Pölyauringot

Pölyauringot, also known as mock suns or phantom suns, are an atmospheric optical phenomenon that appears as a bright spot on either side of the sun. They are caused by the refraction of sunlight through ice crystals in the atmosphere, typically hexagonal plate-shaped crystals. These crystals act like prisms, bending the light and creating the illusion of an extra sun.

The appearance of pölyauringot is dependent on the orientation of the ice crystals. When plate-shaped crystals are suspended horizontally in the air, they can refract sunlight in a way that creates bright spots at a specific angle relative to the sun. This angle is approximately 22 degrees away from the sun. The color of pölyauringot can vary, often showing reddish hues closest to the sun and transitioning to bluer or whiter colors further away.

Pölyauringot are most commonly observed during cold weather conditions when ice crystals are present in the atmosphere, such as during winter or in polar regions. They are often associated with cirrus or cirrostratus clouds, which are high-altitude clouds composed of ice crystals. While they can be quite striking, pölyauringot are a harmless optical illusion and do not represent actual celestial bodies. Their presence is a beautiful indicator of atmospheric conditions favorable for ice crystal formation.