ilmaaluksiak

Ilmaaluksiak is a term of Inuit origin referring to a specific type of atmospheric phenomenon. It describes the optical effect of a sun dog, also known as a parhelion or mock sun. Sun dogs are a type of halo and are caused by the refraction of sunlight by ice crystals in the atmosphere. These ice crystals are typically hexagonal and plate-shaped.

When sunlight passes through these crystals, it is bent, or refracted. The specific angle of refraction, approximately 22 degrees relative to the incoming sunlight, causes the light to appear as bright spots on either side of the sun. These spots are often as bright as the sun itself and can be colorful, with red hues appearing on the side closest to the sun and blue on the outer side, similar to a rainbow.

Ilmaaluksiak are most commonly observed during cold weather when ice crystals are abundant in the air, particularly in polar and subpolar regions. The clarity and appearance of the sun dog can vary depending on the size, shape, and orientation of the ice crystals, as well as the position of the sun. While ilmaaluksiak are a natural optical illusion, they have held cultural significance for some Inuit communities, often observed as indicators of weather patterns or simply as beautiful natural displays. The term itself highlights the connection between the sky and the environment in Inuit culture and language.