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Formation

The subsun phenomena appears when a region of hexagonal ice crystals act as a large mirror,¹ creating a virtual image of the Sun below the horizon.²³ As they fall through the air, the ice forms plate crystals⁴ which orient horizontally, i.e., with their hexagonal surfaces parallel to the Earth's surface. When they are disturbed by turbulence, the plates "wobble", causing their surfaces to deviate some degrees from the ideal horizontal orientation, and causing the reflection (i.e., the subsun) to become elongated⁵ vertically.

Deformations

When the subsun is stretched far enough vertically, it can become a vertical column known as a lower sun pillar.⁶ A sun pillar is a form of light pillar.⁷

Examples (Images)

See also

• Crown flash
• Sun dog
• Halo
• Sun Pillar/Light Pillar

References

1. Naylor (2002). Out of the Blue. Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge. pp. 140, 152–154. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Out_of_the_Blue/ZQOJGerV2IcC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq= ↩

2. Greenler (1989). Rainbows, Halos, and Glories. Press Syndicate o/ UoC. pp. 65–68, 73–74. /wiki/Robert_G._Greenler ↩

3. Tape (1990). Atmospheric Halos. American Geophysical Union. p. 69. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Atmospheric_Halos/1Wo18IA7C1AC?gbpv=1 ↩

4. Naylor (2002). Out of the Blue. Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge. pp. 140, 152–154. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Out_of_the_Blue/ZQOJGerV2IcC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq= ↩

5. Greenler (1989). Rainbows, Halos, and Glories. Press Syndicate o/ UoC. pp. 65–68, 73–74. /wiki/Robert_G._Greenler ↩

6. Greenler (1989). Rainbows, Halos, and Glories. Press Syndicate o/ UoC. pp. 65–68, 73–74. /wiki/Robert_G._Greenler ↩

7. Tape (1990). Atmospheric Halos. American Geophysical Union. p. 69. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Atmospheric_Halos/1Wo18IA7C1AC?gbpv=1 ↩