Articles About Atmospheric Phenomena (19)

What Are Rainbows?

When sunlight hits water droplets, we see a rainbow. How does it work?

Twilight, dawn, & dusk

Learn more about different kinds of twilight, dawn and dusk.

The Golden Hour – When Sunlight Turns Magical

When the Sun is close to the horizon, its light appears warmer and softer. Explore the definition of the golden hour, along with helpful photography tips.

Civil Twilight – Civil Dawn & Dusk

Civil twilight is the brightest of the twilight phases. How is it defined and when does it start and end? What are civil dawn and civil dusk?

Northern and Southern Lights

What causes these colorful and dramatic light displays in the sky, and when and from where can you see them?

Nautical Twilight – Nautical Dawn & Dusk

Nautical twilight is the second twilight phase. How is it defined and when does it start and end? What are nautical dawn and nautical dusk?

Astronomical Twilight – Astronomical Dawn & Dusk

Astronomical twilight is the darkest of the twilight phases. How is it defined and when does it start and end? What are astronomical dawn and astronomical dusk?

Total lunar eclipse and magnifying glass.

Lunar Eclipse: Red Moon

Find out why a totally eclipsed Moon turns a shade of red.

Vector illustration of thick book and a pencil

Astronomical Glossary - Terms & Definitions

What do astronomers really mean when they use those technical terms?

Image of a waterfall at night with one bright moon bow and a faint moon bow above it. Dark skies and city lights in the background.

What Are Moonbows?

Moonbows occur when the Moon’s light is reflected and refracted off water droplets in the air.

What Is Dusk?

Dusk generally refers to the transition from day to night. However, the scientific definition is more specific and consists of three stages of dusk.

What Is Dawn?

Dawn generally refers to the transition from night to day. However, the scientific definition refers to three separate and definable stages of dawn.

Full moon on the horizon at the end of a dock.

The Moon Illusion

Some days, the Full Moon at the horizon looks larger than a normal Full Moon. Does the Moon really change size or is this an illusion?

The Blue Hour

The blue hour in the morning and evening is a favorite with photographers. When does it start & end? Explanation with times, degrees & photography tips.

Halos, Sundogs and Light Pillars

These are atmospheric phenomena created by the reflection and refraction of light by ice crystals in the atmosphere.

An illustration of the Sun and blue light scattering through the atmosphere to a figure of a woman on Earth and a text explaining, "Daytime, blue light scatters easily in the atmosphere. On the left side is a male figure receiving red and orange scattered

Rayleigh Scattering

Why does the sky turn red during sunrise and sunset?

Zodiacal Light

Also known as false dawn, zodiacal light is a rare optical phenomena that occur around sunset and sunrise in early spring and late fall.

A view of vibrant purple northern lights over Harstad, northern Norway.

Northern Lights Photography

How to take breathtaking photos of the northern lights, from camera settings to ideal locations—plus tips for editing and perfecting your shots.

The aurora borealis over mountains in Harstad, northern Norway.

2025 Set for Spectacular Northern Lights Displays

With the Sun at solar maximum, 2025 promises more chances to witness incredible auroral shows.