Thursday, September 20, 2018

Belt of Venus

I'm sure I've seen this phenomenon many times but until I saw it in one of my photography books I didn't pay any attention.  It's called the "Belt of Venus" and it is the pink band above the horizon Just after sunset or just before sunrise.
With your back to the sunset (or sunrise) you see the light reflected off the atmosphere in the opposite direction of the setting or rising sun.  The blue band below the pink is the earths shadow.  
Tony Flanders at Sky and Telescope explains it much better than I can.  Look for it the next time you have a clear sky at sunset or sunrise.
Check our SkyWatch Friday for more views of the sky.

7 comments:

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

how wonderful to know --- my something new to learn today ... not quite before breakfast, but the first new thing nevertheless! I'm bookmarking this post for future reference!! Thank you.

Spare Parts and Pics said...

It's fun to try to better understand the mystery of the skies. Pretty shot!!

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Thanks for sharing!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I have seen that before and now I know a little more about it thanks to you!!

Jim said...

Great shots.

Lady Fi said...

A lovely, soft pink!

Light and Voices said...

Nice captures.