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Credit & Copyright: Paolo Lazzarotti
Explanation:
This was one strange sunset.
For one thing, the
typically round Sun appeared distorted, geometrically,
and
multiply layered.
For another, some of these layers appeared unusually green.
The Sun,
of course, was just fine -- its odd appearance was caused entirely by its
light refracting in the
Earth's atmosphere.
When layers of the Earth's atmosphere are unusually warm, layers of the Sun may
appear distorted or even seen multiple times.
The effect is most
strong nearest sunrise and sunset when terrestrial
inversion layers
occupy distinct
altitudes
above the horizon.
Different colors
of the Sun may also become deflected by significantly different amounts, so that
the uppermost
superior image
may appear
momentarily green -- a
phenomenon known as a
green flash.
The featured image was taken in February from
Porto Venere,
Italy, with
San Pietro
church
situated in the foreground.
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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 - green flash
Publications with words: sunset - green flash
See also:
- APOD: 2025 September 6 Á Sardinia Sunset
- APOD: 2025 June 15 Á Two Worlds One Sun
- APOD: 2023 October 25 Á Gone in 60 Seconds: A Green Flash Sunset
- APOD: 2023 March 28 Á A Multiple Green Flash Sunset
- Video of a Green Flash
- APOD: 2020 August 2 Á Two Worlds One Sun
- Noctilucent Clouds, Reflections, and Silhouettes