How to see the Sun's green flash

EarthSky

How to see a green flash



Photo credit: EarthSky Facebook friend Mike Quinn. The elusive green flash just after sunset on July 29, 2014 in the East China Sea.

The green flash is an optical phenomenon that you can see shortly after sunset or before sunrise. It happens when the sun is almost entirely below the horizon, with the barest edge of the sun – the upper edge – still visible. For a second or two, that upper rim of the sun will appear green in color. It’s a brief flash of the color green – the legendary green flash. It’s really quite exciting to see, especially if you’ve been looking for one.

It’s said that once you’ve seen a green flash, you’ll never again go wrong in matters of the heart.

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Since you need to know exactly where to look along the horizon, and since most of us aren’t up before dawn, green flashes are most often seen after sunset. But diligent observers can see them before dawn, too. And, although they’re most often seen over the ocean, you can see green flashes over land, too, if your horizon is far enough away.


Mock mirage and green flash seen from San Francisco. 2006. Image Credit: Mila Zinkova via Wikimedia Commons

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