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Credit & Copyright: Doug Miller
Explanation:
Although you've surely seen it, you might not have noticed it.
During a cloudless
twilight, just before sunrise or after sunset, part
of the atmosphere above the
horizon appears slightly off-color, slightly pink.
Visible in the
above photograph, this off-color band between the
dark eclipsed sky and the
blue sky can best be seen in the direction opposite the Sun
and is called the Belt of
Venus.
Straight above,
blue sky is normal sunlight reflecting off the atmosphere.
In the Belt of Venus, however, the atmosphere reflects light
from the
setting (or rising) Sun which
appears more red.
The Belt of Venus can be seen from any location
with a clear horizon.
It is frequently
caught
by
accident
in
other
photographs.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: sunset - sunrise - belt of Venus
Publications with words: sunset - sunrise - belt of Venus
See also: