If you're interested in using any of these photographs or this content in any way, please contact me. Send an e-mail to naturalhistoryphotos(at)gmail.com. Thanks!
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Green on the horizon
Wasn't sure if we'd see one tonight, but there it was, glowing green on the horizon. Photographed from Bodega Head on 28 January 2026. [You can click on the image for a slightly better version of the photo.]
You have convinced me that these are real, but I still have yet to see one. :) It looks like trying right after a cold front passes is a good time to check. I'll have to remember that the next time we get one.
Well, I've convinced me that green flashes are real, too. :) (Although a better description for most of them might be a "green glow.")
A couple of thoughts -- They're actually quite common and not hard to see, as long as you're focused on seeing one. The hard part is trying to judge whether the conditions are going to be good, or what type of "flash" you might see under different conditions. (And at least for me, it's easier at this time of year when the sunset is earlier and when the conditions are often clear.)
I generally find that as long as the sun is still visible as it's disappearing below the horizon, you probably have a chance. In the lead up to sunset, sometimes I'm looking out at the western sky and thinking it could be a good night for a flash, but then closer to sunset a low cloud line becomes visible. If the sun disappears behind those clouds when it's still above the horizon, then you're chances aren't as good.
But interestingly, last night I thought that might happen, and then the sun re-appeared below some clouds as it approached the horizon, and the flash was quite green and lasted for a while.
Seeing it might also depend on your vision/acuity. If someone has trouble with distance vision, I'd probably recommend trying with binoculars (or a zoom lens). BUT, to protect your eyes, it's *very important* not to look at the sun until it's almost completely below the horizon. (The green flash doesn't happen until then anyway.)
3 comments:
A blog reader wrote to share a link to a helpful description of a green flash (thanks!), so I'm sharing it here:
https://www.aaas.org/taxonomy/term/10/catching-elusive-green-flash
You have convinced me that these are real, but I still have yet to see one. :) It looks like trying right after a cold front passes is a good time to check. I'll have to remember that the next time we get one.
Hi, John!
Well, I've convinced me that green flashes are real, too. :) (Although a better description for most of them might be a "green glow.")
A couple of thoughts -- They're actually quite common and not hard to see, as long as you're focused on seeing one. The hard part is trying to judge whether the conditions are going to be good, or what type of "flash" you might see under different conditions. (And at least for me, it's easier at this time of year when the sunset is earlier and when the conditions are often clear.)
I generally find that as long as the sun is still visible as it's disappearing below the horizon, you probably have a chance. In the lead up to sunset, sometimes I'm looking out at the western sky and thinking it could be a good night for a flash, but then closer to sunset a low cloud line becomes visible. If the sun disappears behind those clouds when it's still above the horizon, then you're chances aren't as good.
But interestingly, last night I thought that might happen, and then the sun re-appeared below some clouds as it approached the horizon, and the flash was quite green and lasted for a while.
Seeing it might also depend on your vision/acuity. If someone has trouble with distance vision, I'd probably recommend trying with binoculars (or a zoom lens). BUT, to protect your eyes, it's *very important* not to look at the sun until it's almost completely below the horizon. (The green flash doesn't happen until then anyway.)
Keep trying, and good luck!
:) Jackie
Post a Comment