Earth's Shadow & Belt of Venus, Sweden - OPOD

Last updated on September 16, 2023

Earth's Shadow & Belt of Venus: A Stunning Atmospheric Phenomenon

Have you ever witnessed the enchanting sight of the moon setting behind a snow-clad landscape, painting the sky with hues of pink and purple? This captivating spectacle, captured in an image by Göran Strand in Oviken, Jämtland, Sweden, showcases the atmospheric phenomena known as Earth's Shadow and the Belt of Venus.

Understanding Earth's Shadow

As the moon descends below the horizon, a dark purple band emerges above the western horizon, tapering into wedges towards the north and south. This band is the shadow of our planet cast through its own atmosphere. Known as Earth's Shadow, it serves as a reminder of the unlit atmosphere hidden from the sun's rays by the Earth's rim.

The Beauty of the Belt of Venus

Along the upper edge of Earth's Shadow, a rosy pink glow adorns the sky. This ethereal phenomenon is called the Belt of Venus or Anti-twilight Arch. The Belt of Venus adds an exquisite touch to the early morning sky, creating a mesmerizing transition from the deep purples of Earth's Shadow to the vibrant pinks above.

The Science Behind the Colors

As sunrise approaches, Earth's Shadow gradually sinks but becomes more distinct. The upper edge of the shadow corresponds to the position where the sun is just rising. At this point, sunlight must traverse a longer path through the air, leading to increased scattering. This scattering, known as Rayleigh scattering, causes the sunlight to appear reddened. The reddened rays combine with scattered blue light from the sunlit air above, resulting in the captivating pink hues of the Belt of Venus.

Winter Delights: Witnessing Earth's Shadow

For those of us in winter, when late dawns are commonplace, this time of year offers a wonderful opportunity to witness Earth's Shadow before sunrise and breakfast. Take a moment to step outside and marvel at the beauty of nature's artwork as the moon bids farewell, leaving behind a trail of stunning colors in the sky.

Capturing the Magic

Photographers, like Göran Strand, have the privilege of immortalizing these captivating atmospheric phenomena through their lenses. Their skillful compositions allow us to appreciate the delicate interplay of light and shadow, showcasing the beauty that unfolds in the early morning hours.

Conclusion

The Earth's Shadow and Belt of Venus are nature's captivating display, showcasing the wonders of atmospheric optics. As the moon sets and dawn approaches, take a moment to witness this enchanting phenomenon. Let yourself be immersed in the ever-changing canvas of colors that graces the sky, reminding us of the intricate beauty that surrounds us.

The moon sets behind the church in Oviken, Jämtland, Sweden. An image by Göran Strand (Photography). The snow-clad landscape is dark for the sun has not yet risen. It will soon. At top, the dawning sky is blue from scattered higher altitude sunlight. Lower down the sky shades to pinks and then deep purples. The pink is the ‘Belt of Venus’. The dark beneath it is the shadow of the earth itself cast through the atmosphere. Image ©Göran Strand, shown with permission

Before the sun rises a dark purple hued band appears above the western horizon ending in wedges to north and south. This is the shadow of the planet cast through its own atmosphere. A rosy pink glow suffuses the upper edge - the Belt of Venus or Anti-twilight Arch.

As sunrise approaches the shadow sinks but becomes more distinct.

The shadow is marks the unlit atmosphere masked from the sun's rays by the Earth's rim.

The shadow’s upper edge is where the sun is just rising. There, the light of the new sun travels long through the air and is most reddened by Rayleigh scattering. The direct reddened rays combine with scattered blue light from the sunlit air above to paint the pinks of the Belt of Venus.

For those of us now in winter, the late dawns are good opportunities to see the shadow in the west before sunrise and breakfast.

Note: this article has been automatically converted from the old site and may not appear as intended. You can find the original article here.

Reference Atmospheric Optics

If you use any of the definitions, information, or data presented on Atmospheric Optics, please copy the link or reference below to properly credit us as the reference source. Thank you!