Solar Dynamics Observatory Launch, Feb 11, me bucko, 2010 HD VERSION A sun dog is a prismatic bright spot in t' sky caused by sun shinin' through ice crystals. Arrr! T' Atlas V rocket exceeded t' speed o' sound in this layer o' ice crystals, makin' t' shock wave visible from t' ground. T' announcer can be heard in t' video saying, "T' vehicle is now supersonic."