Amazing Anticrepuscular Rays

Anticrepuscular rays are similar to crepuscular rays, but seen opposite the sun in the sky. Sunlight travels in straight lines, but the projections of these lines on Earth’s spherical atmosphere are great circles. Hence, straight-line crepuscular rays from a setting (or rising) sun can appear to re-converge at the antisolar point. Anticrepuscular rays are most frequently visible near sunrise or sunset. Crepuscular rays are usually much brighter than anticrepuscular rays. This is because for crepuscular rays, seen on the same side of the sky as the sun, the atmospheric light scattering and making them visible is taking place at small angles.

Take a look at these amazing photographs:

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Christopher is the founder of iMod - Most of his time is spent building websites and pushing the limits with Search Engine Optimization. You can follow him on Twitter @ChristopherM

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4 Comments on "Amazing Anticrepuscular Rays"

  1. Ted says:

    Please define ANTIcrepuscular (crepuscular – To do with twilight)

  2. Chris M says:

    Wikipedia has a full explanation behind crepuscular rays and I’d recommend having a read – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anticrepuscular_rays

  3. Ted says:

    Thanks – Gotcha

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