Rays East & West

Last updated on September 16, 2023

Rays East & West: Exploring the Phenomenon of Crepuscular and Anticrepuscular Rays

Have you ever witnessed a breathtaking sunset and turned around only to be amazed by a stunning mirror effect behind you? This optical phenomenon, known as crepuscular and anticrepuscular rays, can create a truly magical atmosphere in the sky. Let's delve into the science behind these captivating rays and explore their unique characteristics.

Crepuscular rays, also known as "God rays" or "sunbeams," are the beams of sunlight that appear to radiate from the position of the setting or rising sun. These rays are visible when sunlight passes through gaps or breaks in clouds, resulting in a stunning display of converging beams of light. The shadows cast by these clouds create long, parallel tubes of unlit air, further accentuating the effect. Imagine standing on a long, straight highway that appears to converge to a point in both directions; the shadows across the sky behave in a similar manner.

Anticrepuscular rays, on the other hand, are a mirror image of crepuscular rays. These rays appear to converge towards the antisolar point, which is the point directly opposite the sun in the sky. When observing anticrepuscular rays, you will notice their rosy brightness as they span across the sky, creating an awe-inspiring visual spectacle. Like crepuscular rays, anticrepuscular rays also result from sunlight passing through gaps in clouds, forming shadow tubes and parallel beams of light.

To fully appreciate the beauty of crepuscular and anticrepuscular rays, it is important to understand the atmospheric conditions that contribute to their formation. These rays are primarily caused by the scattering of sunlight by particles in the Earth's atmosphere, such as dust, water droplets, or ice crystals. When sunlight encounters these particles, it scatters in different directions, leading to the visible rays that we observe.

The phenomenon of crepuscular and anticrepuscular rays is not limited to specific geographic locations; they can be witnessed around the world under the right atmospheric conditions. However, certain factors can enhance the visibility and intensity of these rays. For example, when there are more particles in the atmosphere, such as during hazy or dusty conditions, the scattering of sunlight becomes more pronounced, resulting in more prominent rays.

It is important to note that crepuscular and anticrepuscular rays are optical illusions. While they may appear to converge towards a point in the distance, they are actually parallel beams of light. This parallel alignment is what creates the mesmerizing effect of the rays radiating from a single source.

Next time you find yourself captivated by a stunning sunset or sunrise, take a moment to turn around and observe the sky behind you. You may just witness the enchanting display of crepuscular and anticrepuscular rays converging or diverging, creating a truly magical experience.

In conclusion, crepuscular and anticrepuscular rays are captivating atmospheric optics phenomena that occur when sunlight passes through gaps in clouds, resulting in parallel beams of light. These rays create the illusion of converging or diverging towards a point in the sky, adding a touch of magic to our everyday surroundings. By understanding the science behind these phenomena, we can fully appreciate the beauty of nature's light show. So, keep your eyes to the sky and be ready to witness the awe-inspiring display of crepuscular and anticrepuscular rays on your next sunset adventure.

Crepuscular & Anticrepuscular Rays Birdlings Flat, Banks Peninsular, New Zealand South Island.

Imaged by Patrick Williams Jan 17th 2009. ©Patrick Williams, shown with permission.

"We had a spectacular sunset and I turned round to see an almost mirror effect behind me." Patrick's panorama of several images captures at left the view westwards of crepuscular rays spreading outwards from the sun. Scroll to see the view eastwards opposite the sun where rosy bright anticrepuscular rays converge towards the antisolar point. The darker regions are long shadow tubes of unlit air formed by clouds blocking the sunlight. All the shadows and the bright areas (rays) in between them are parallel. Imagine that you are standing on a very long straight highway. It appears to converge to a point in both directions. Shadows across the sky do the same.

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Reference Atmospheric Optics

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