Russians witnessed a rare and striking sight in the sky that appeared to show two suns shining at the same time in Sakhalin Island.
The picture went viral on social media.
Two suns rise over parts of Russia. Sakhalin residents spot a rare phenomena called "Sun Dog" caused by reflection of the light by ice crystals in the air. pic.twitter.com/77M4kJHno6
— Uzair Shahid (@UzairShahid) January 25, 2026
Two suns rise over parts of #Russia #Sakhalin residents spot a rare sun dog caused by ice crystals in the air pic.twitter.com/KldiBdbn36
— Truth First – Lanka (@ApiWenuwen) January 25, 2026
#WATCH : ‘Two Suns’ and Light Pillars Seen in Russia
— upuknews (@upuknews1) January 24, 2026
Rare atmospheric optics dazzled Russia as sundogs created a “two suns” illusion over Sakhalin, while extreme cold produced glowing light pillars in multiple regions.#TwoSuns #Parhelia #Sundogs #OpticalPhenomenon #Russia… pic.twitter.com/OGe1nxiOEt
The truth is, there were not two suns but a natural atmospheric event.
Specialists explained that tiny ice crystals formed in the air due to extreme cold reflected sunlight, creating the illusion of the sun appearing in two positions in the sky.
This optical phenomenon is scientifically known as a “sun dog” (parhelion).
According to NASA, sundogs are most easily seen when the Sun is low in the sky, with the halos occurring on either side of it at about 22 degrees. The part of a sundog closest to the Sun always forms a red layer, while greens and blues form beyond that. Sundogs are visible all over the world and at any time of year, regardless of surface temperature.
In 2020, three suns were spotted in China’s Mohe due to the rare phenomenon.
