What is a Sundog?

Many people have assumed that the word sundog has something to do with dogs. Technically, it doesn’t. But, then again, perhaps it does.

A sundog is an atmospheric phenomenon which is often most vibrant shortly after sunrise or before sunset when the sun is at 22 degrees from the horizon. Light interacting with ice crystals can cause bright spots to appear on each side of the sun; each of these is what scientists refer to as a parhelion. The common name for parhelion is sundog.

Why this phenomena is referred to as a sundog is a mystery. In England, it was said that these “false suns” would sometimes dog the real sun. In Scandinavian countries, myths include stories of two wolves hunting the sun and moon one on either side.

No matter the reason for the name, I find sundogs to be one of the most beautiful natural phenomena found. When looking for a name for a new business, I seemed to be seeing them often, and, being a poet, found them to be symbolic of what I was hoping to accomplish with a poetry center. Thus, Sundog Poetry Center was born.

Parhelion
Tamra J. Higgins

Two phantom dogs rose with the sun,
on either side of it they tugged;
and though neither shone like the star
they guarded, both radiated awe.
I know I cannot be the sun,
but I can strive still to inspire.

The Sundog Poetry Center logo was created by artist Dodi Gomez from Jeffersonville, Vermont. The logo captures two vibrant sundogs on either side of a sun and the crowning sunburst that often accompanies them above the name.

Do you have a photo of a sundog or a pair of sundogs you’d like to share with us? Send them to sundogpoetry@gmail.com and we’ll post them on our website!