Solar sights

The circumzenithal arc is a rare phenomenon. Much commoner are parhelia or 'sun dogs'. These occur when the sun is low in the sky. They appear 22° to the left and right of the sun, as bright spots of light. You may be able to see part of a 22° halo as well. The light from the parhelion is slightly refracted, giving a slight rainbow effect. Occasionally I have seen bright pillars of light extending a further 5° in the horizontal plane.

Frequent observation of the daytime (and night time!) sky is often repaid by the observation of beautiful phenomena that escapes the casual observer.