A "sun dog" (or partheion) can occur anywhere on Earth.
A sun dog (parhelion) can occur anywhere on Earth.
True
A sun dog does not depend on location or latitude.
It depends on atmospheric conditions.
The Only Requirements
1. Sunlight
2. Thin, high clouds containing ice crystals (usually cirrus clouds)
3. The Sun being low in the sky (near sunrise or sunset)
Wherever these three conditions exist, a sun dog can form.
Why They Seem More Common in Some Places
They are seen more often in:
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Polar and sub-polar regions
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Cold continental climates
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Winter seasons
This is because ice crystals are present more often, not because of geography.
Warm Countries Too
Sun dogs have been observed:
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Near the equator
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In deserts
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In tropical regions
High-altitude clouds can contain ice crystals even when it is hot on the ground.
Clear Conclusion
1. Sun dogs are global
2. They are not restricted to cold countries
3. They appear wherever the atmosphere allows
4. Frequency changes, possibility does not
So yes — anywhere on Earth, from the Arctic to the equator, a sun dog can occur.
