parhelion; sun dog
Astronomical term for a bright spot appearing on either side of the sun, caused by refraction through ice crystals. Often seen in cold climates.
See also: 幻月
On a winter morning, parhelia appeared on both sides of the sun.
A parhelion is a phenomenon caused by ice crystals in the atmosphere.
parhelic circle
subparhelion
From 幻 (phantom, illusion) + 日 (sun), literally 'phantom sun'. The term is a direct calque of the Western astronomical concept.