Three Sun phenomenon: An Unbelievable Truth that People Dismiss
This is a short answer to a fascinating subject. Not many people believe me when I tell them about the incredible sighting of three suns in the sky! It's hard for most to grasp such an optical phenomenon, akin to my personal experience with being dismissed as having a disability merely because of my looks.
Personal Experience with Being Dismissed as Disabled
Due to the not-so-public record of my health issues, particularly in my early years, people often dismiss my statements about being disabled. Some even claim, "I look too young," but, alas, age is catching up with me. It's akin to the disbelief I faced when people heard about the three suns in the sky.
Discovering the Truth behind the Three Suns
Yes, believe it or not, it is possible to see three suns in the day sky on earth! The ancient philosopher Aristotle himself noted in his Meteorology III that two mock suns rose with the sun and followed it all through the day until sunset. These are not three actual suns, but optical phenomena known as sundogs or mock suns. Let me explain:
What Sundogs or Mock Suns Really Are
Sundogs, or mock suns, are optical phenomena caused by the refraction of sunlight through ice crystals in the atmosphere. What you see on the two sides of the sun are actually images of the sun, not a third sun. They typically appear as a pair of subtly colored patches of light around 22° to the left and right of the sun, at the same altitude as the sun.
Where and When to See Sundogs
Sundogs can be seen anywhere in the world, during any season, but they are not always bright or obvious. They are best seen and most conspicuous when the sun is near the horizon. This phenomenon was reported in Europe and India in my childhood, leaving me puzzled. Here are some examples of sundog sightings:
Hesse, Germany Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Kansas City, USANow, you and I both know that these are real phenomena, not just a trick of the mind.
Learning from Experience
Though this experience was fascinating, it mirrors my personal journey of not achieving many life goals. I've never got a job that paid much, never got a promotion, and never had my work published. I haven't had particularly interesting opportunities that led me anywhere, nor have I won any awards. Basically, I haven't accomplished anything on the scale I might have dreamed of accomplishing.
Conclusion
As incredible as it sounds, the sighting of three suns in the sky is possible and has been recorded throughout history. Sundogs are more than just a fascinating optical illusion; they are a fact of nature that challenges our perceptions of reality. Much like my experiences, they remind us that the unbelievable can, and does, happen, often right in front of our eyes.