mock sun: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “mock sun” mean?
A bright spot or image of the sun appearing on a halo or ring around the sun, caused by the refraction of sunlight through ice crystals in the atmosphere.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A bright spot or image of the sun appearing on a halo or ring around the sun, caused by the refraction of sunlight through ice crystals in the atmosphere.
A parhelion; an atmospheric optical phenomenon where one or more bright spots appear beside the sun, often on a luminous ring or halo.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. 'Mock sun' is the standard descriptive term; 'parhelion' is the more formal scientific equivalent used in both regions.
Connotations
Neutral and descriptive in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday language in both the UK and US. It is confined to technical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “mock sun” in a Sentence
The [phenomenon/spot] known as a mock sunA mock sun appeared [beside/near] the sun.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in scientific papers on meteorology, atmospheric optics, or related earth sciences.
Everyday
Virtually never used. A person describing the phenomenon would more likely say 'sun dog' or 'bright spot next to the sun'.
Technical
The primary context. Used in meteorology, aviation weather reports, and astronomy to describe the specific optical effect.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mock sun”
- Confusing it with a 'sun pillar' (a vertical column of light).
- Using it as a verb or adjective (e.g., 'to mock sun' or 'mock-sun activity' is non-standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'sun dog' is a common informal term for the same phenomenon, which scientists call a parhelion or mock sun.
Yes, it's possible to see two mock suns, one on each side of the sun, located on the 22° halo.
It doesn't predict specific weather, but it indicates the presence of high-altitude cirrus clouds containing ice crystals, which can sometimes precede a weather change.
Yes, 'mock moon' or 'paraselene' is the equivalent phenomenon occurring around the moon.
A bright spot or image of the sun appearing on a halo or ring around the sun, caused by the refraction of sunlight through ice crystals in the atmosphere.
Mock sun is usually technical/scientific in register.
Mock sun: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɒk ˈsʌn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɑːk ˈsʌn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the sun wearing a MOCK (fake) crown with a second, smaller MOCK SUN as one of its jewels.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIGHT IS A DECEPTIVE TWIN (The phenomenon creates a false, companion sun).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'mock sun' most closely associated with?