parhelion n 1: a bright spot on the parhelic circle; caused by diffraction by ice crystals; "two or more parhelia are usually seen at once" [syn: {parhelion}, {mock sun}, {sundog}]
Parhelion \Par*hel"ion\, n.; pl. {Parhelia}. [L. parelion, Gr. ?, ?; para` beside + ? the sun.] A mock sun appearing in the form of a bright light, sometimes near the sun, and tinged with colors like the rainbow, and sometimes opposite to the sun. The latter is usually called an {anthelion}. Often several mock suns appear at the same time. Cf. {Paraselene}. [1913 Webster]