Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Sun Dog from Sub-zero Monday

Outside in below zero weather with -40 windchills
Speedcat and Chicken Little Beek on looking up at the sky is falling


Sun Dog from Sub-zero MondaySun Dog from Sub-zero MondaySun Dog from Sub-zero MondaySun Dog from Sub-zero Monday

Sun Dogs are what look like rings around the sun, and typically form just after sunrise on windy, bitterly cold morningsSun Dog from Sub-zero Monday in Minnesota after snow falls. If you have never seen them, consider yourself lucky ... here's why.

A Sun Dog is caused by water vapor that freezes into ice crystals. The sunlight is then refracted by the ice crystals, forming bright rings on either side of the visible sun. Sun dogs usually happen when the temperature is well below zero, and the wind is stronger than 15 miles an hour. The rings are supposed to resemble the tails of dogs - hence the name. I call them frostbite beek-ons. Be one with the chicken, and stay inside!



Daisy the Curly Cat! said...
" Speedy, you look awfully cold! Thanks for telling us about Sun Dogs. Even though I wish they were called Sun Cats instead "

Stay warm!