A rare solar parhelion was captured in Plouarzel, France, revealing a lesser-known atmospheric phenomenon.
Photo captures rare sky phenomenon
A photo taken on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, in Plouarzel, a commune in Finistère, France, reveals an unusual atmospheric phenomenon known as the solar parhelion. This event is relatively rare and not widely recognized by the general public.What is a solar parhelion?
A solar parhelion, also called a sun dog, is a bright spot that appears on either side of the sun in the sky. It is caused by the refraction of sunlight through ice crystals in high-altitude cirrus clouds.How does the phenomenon occur?
The formation of a solar parhelion requires specific atmospheric conditions. Ice crystals in the clouds must be oriented in a way that bends the sunlight, creating the illusion of additional suns or bright points near the real sun.Rare but not unheard of
While solar parhelia are not common, they can be observed under the right conditions, particularly during cold weather when cirrus clouds are present. The photo from Plouarzel offers a visual example of this natural optical phenomenon.
