 EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes
and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and
archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


 Anticrepuscular Rays at the Winter Sunset

   April 05, 2022

    Raggi Anticrepuscolari Teresa Molinaro

   Photographer:  Teresa Molinaro

   Summary Authors:  Teresa Molinaro;  Cadan Cummings

   The magical  golden hour following sunset brings about many vistas
   including times when the eastern sky is filled with  anticrepuscular
   rays. These sunbeams occur on the opposite horizon from the Sun and
   appear to converge towards the  antisolar point. Anticrepuscular
   rays typically accompany  crepuscular rays that appear on the
   opposite horizon. Both atmospheric ray phenomena are produced when
   incoming sunlight is partially blocked by clouds or a tall landform and
   are accentuated when dust, smoke or other particulates are in the air.
   Although the anticrepuscular rays appear to converge at the antisolar
   point, the  sunbeams are actually parallel in the atmosphere and
   this optical effect is caused by the  viewer’s perspective.

   The photo above was taken on December 22, 2021, at around 4:50PM local
   time. That evening, I found myself observing the sea just as the Sun
   had set behind me. To my surprise, these soft but unmistakable
   anticrepuscular rays radiated into the sky. In addition, an orange and
   pink hue produced by  Belt of Venus is also faintly visible on the
   eastern horizon.

   Photo details: Nikon D3400, 1/160 second exposure, f/10, ISO-400
     * Bagheria, Sicily, Italy Coordinates: 38.083, 13.500

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Cloud Links

     *  Atmospheric Optics
     *  The Cloud Appreciation Society
     *  Cloud Atlas
     *  Color and Light in Nature

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   Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the  Universities
   Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu
 
