sundog

A small halo, sometimes resembling part of a rainbow, near the horizon just off the parhelic circle.

A mock sun, or parhelion.

A luminous spot occasionally seen a few degrees from the sun, supposed to be formed by the intersection of two or more halos, or in a manner similar to that of halos.

A fragmentary rainbow; a small rainbow near the horizon; — called also dog and weathergaw.

Alternative spelling of sun dog.

a bright spot on the parhelic circle; caused by diffraction by ice crystals