How Do You Spell PARANTHELION?

Pronunciation: [pˌaɹənθˈɛli͡ən] (IPA)

Paranthelion is a rare atmospheric phenomenon that occurs when ice crystals in the air refract sunlight, creating a bright spot of light on either side of the sun. The word is spelled "pəˈrænθiˌliən" in IPA phonetic transcription, with the stress on the second syllable. The "a" in the first syllable is pronounced as a schwa sound, while the "e" in the second syllable is pronounced as a short "e" sound. The "th" in the third syllable is pronounced as a voiceless dental fricative, and the final syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound followed by a short "e" sound.

PARANTHELION Meaning and Definition

1. Paranthelion, also known as sundogs or mock suns, is an atmospheric optical phenomenon that creates bright spots of light on both sides of the sun, appearing like additional suns. These celestial lights are formed when sunlight passes through ice crystals in the Earth's atmosphere, resulting in the refraction, reflection, and dispersion of light. Paranthelions are usually seen during very cold weather conditions, particularly in high altitudes or polar regions.

   The appearance of a paranthelion is characterized by two bright spots at the same elevation as the sun, usually in a horizontal alignment. These spots can exhibit a range of colors, including white, yellow, red, or even green. They are typically horizontally separated from the real sun but may occasionally appear closer. The angle at which the light is bent depends on the orientation of the ice crystals, causing the spots to shift in position as the crystals move through the atmosphere.

   Paranthelions are captivating optical illusions that often occur in conjunction with other atmospheric phenomena, such as halos, iridescence, or coronas. These occurrences can further enhance the visual spectacle and create a memorable atmospheric display. Although paranthelions are fascinating to witness, they are not associated with any specific weather patterns or meteorological conditions. Instead, they are purely optical effects caused by light interacting with ice crystals in the atmosphere.

Common Misspellings for PARANTHELION

• oaranthelion
• laranthelion
• 0aranthelion
• pzranthelion
• psranthelion
• pwranthelion
• pqranthelion
• paeanthelion
• padanthelion
• pafanthelion
• patanthelion
• pa5anthelion
• pa4anthelion
• parznthelion
• parsnthelion
• parwnthelion
• parqnthelion
• parabthelion
• paramthelion
• parajthelion

Etymology of PARANTHELION

The word "paranthelion" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "para" which means "beside" or "near" and "anthelion" which refers to a bright spot in the sky observed opposite the Sun. The Greek word "anthelion" is a combination of "anti" meaning "opposite" and "helios" meaning "sun". Therefore, "paranthelion" can be understood as a term describing a bright spot in the sky near the anthelion.

Plural form of PARANTHELION is PARANTHELIONS