Sunset

Sunset is the daily disappearance of the Sun below the horizon due to Earth's rotation. As viewed from everywhere on Earth (except the North and South poles), the equinox Sun sets due west at the moment of both the Spring and Autumn equinox. This is a result of Earth's axial tilt not changing relative to its orbit around the sun.

Description

Sunset creates unique atmospheric conditions such as the often intense orange and red colors of the Sun and the surrounding sky. These colors are typically more brilliant than those at sunrise. They are the result of a particular type of scattering called Rayleigh scattering. The color of the sunset is determined by the wavelength of light and the amount of particles in the atmosphere.

Cultural aspects

Sunsets have been a popular theme in art, literature, and photography. They often symbolize endings, finality, and the approach of night. In some cultures, they also represent the promise of a new day.

Scientific explanation

The scientific explanation for sunsets involves the concepts of refraction and scattering. As the Sun gets lower in the sky, its light passes through more of the atmosphere, which scatters the short-wavelength green and blue components of the light and allows the longer-wavelength red component to reach the observer.

See also

• Sunrise
• Twilight
• Golden hour (photography)
• Blue hour

External links

• Time and Date - Information about sunsets and sunrises around the world.

Sunset Resources
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