Sky gazers in Malta were treated to a rare and beautiful sight this past weekend – a ‘mock sun’, also known as a parhelion or sun dog, made a glowing appearance during sunset between Saturday and Sunday.

If you happened to be looking west as the sun dipped below the horizon, you might have noticed one or more rainbow-like spots next to the setting sun. This dazzling sight wasn’t just a trick of the light, but part of a fascinating halo phenomenon caused by atmospheric conditions, captured beautifully over the sea in this photo by Adrienn Bartolich.

According to Maltese Islands Weather, mock suns occur when sunlight is refracted by ice crystals suspended high in the atmosphere – typically in cirrostratus clouds. These ice crystals act like tiny prisms, bending light and producing bright, often colourful spots on either side of the sun.

Mock suns are most visible when the sun is low in the sky, either at sunrise or sunset, which is why the conditions this weekend were just right for this phenomenon to appear.

So, if you were lucky enough to catch it, consider yourself part of a group of observers who got to see nature’s optical artistry in action! If not, don’t worry – keep your eyes on the skies during future golden hours, especially when high, thin clouds are present.

Did you manage to capture any photos of the phenomenon?