I've received lots of feedback and questions about the green flash photos, so here's another -- photographed on 25 January 2025.
In my first post about green flashes back in 2013, I included a link to a website with a helpful introduction to them: https://aty.sdsu.edu/ (This is an older website, so some of the links are no longer working, but there's still a lot of very helpful information.)
When the conditions are right, it's not too hard to see a green flash, but it's helpful to use binoculars. *Remember that it's important not to look at the sun until it's mostly below the horizon* (it can damage your eyes)...but then get ready because the green color appears fairly quickly and then disappears (although it can linger in some conditions!).
2 comments:
I was thinking about your shots last night and I STILL didn't see it! In fact I have yet to see it at all. I must be too impatient or something. Here's another explanatory web site, which adds that no one has gotten a photograph of a Green Ray. If anyone can get it, you can! [https://www.aaas.org/taxonomy/term/10/catching-elusive-green-flash]
Hi, John!
Interesting -- Eric and I were both looking for it last night, but we were in slightly different locations (but not very far away from each other). I saw it well, but he didn't really see it, so I don't know if there are some very specific angles/conditions that influence its visibility?
It's true it goes by quickly...but it really is the very last thing that's visible as the sun disappears, so in some ways the timing is very predictable. I have seen it without optical aids (binoculars or a long camera lens), but it's definitely easier with them.
Also -- sometimes I'm amazed by serendipity -- I'm re-reading Annie Dillard's book Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, and she mentions a green ray! So that made me look up more about that specific phenomenon. I'll be watching for it!
:) Jackie
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