Parhelic Circle
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parhelic circle
[pär′hē·lik] (astronomy)
A halo consisting of a faint white circle passing through the sun and running parallel to the horizon for as much as 360° of azimuth. Also known as mock sun ring.
Parhelic Circle
a narrow white band appearing in the sky during the day and running parallel to the horizon at the altitude of the sun. In rare instances, an entire circle is visible; most often only the sections beginning at the parhelia and appearing as extensions or tails of the parhelia can be seen. A type of halo, the parhelic circle is caused by the reflection of solar rays from ice crystals.