solday

Solday is a rare atmospheric phenomenon that occurs when a unusual alignment of solar and terrestrial conditions creates an optical effect on the sky. It is often referred to as a "sun dog" or "mock sun," although the scientific community prefers the term "solday" to describe this specific event.

Soldays are characterized by a bright spot or ring that appears on either side of the sun, typically 22 degrees away from the solar disk. This bright spot is actually the refraction of sunlight through ice crystals in the atmosphere, which separates the light into its individual colors creating a rainbow effect. The reason soldays appear as a single spot rather than a full rainbow is due to the dominance of scattered sunlight.

Soldays have been observed in a variety of atmospheric conditions, but they are generally associated with the presence of cirrostratus clouds, which are composed of small ice crystals. These crystals are responsible for the refraction and dispersion of light that creates the appearance of the solday.

Soldays are considered a relatively rare event, primarily because the alignment of solar and atmospheric conditions required for their occurrence are quite specific. However, for those who are aware of the signs and timing of soldays, they can be a spectacular and awe-inspiring sight to behold. It's worth noting that soldays are considered a benign and harmless atmospheric phenomenon, with no impact on the environment or human activity.