1969912 0 #1 July 1, 2007 Speaking of sunsets, have you ever seen a "Green Flash?" It is supposed to be visible from the western beaches. As the sun is just dropping below the horizon, there will be one or more bright green flashes. Conditions must be just right, so it's somewhat rare. I assume it is due to refraction caused by the atmosphere, so as the sun sets, it is like holding a prism in front of you and rotating it so that each color beams into your eyes for a split second. When the green hits it looks like a bright flash. Never seen it meself. "Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ." -NickDG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #2 July 1, 2007 QuoteSpeaking of sunsets, have you ever seen a "Green Flash?" It is supposed to be visible from the western beaches. As the sun is just dropping below the horizon, there will be one or more bright green flashes. Conditions must be just right, so it's somewhat rare. I assume it is due to refraction caused by the atmosphere, so as the sun sets, it is like holding a prism in front of you and rotating it so that each color beams into your eyes for a split second. When the green hits it looks like a bright flash. Never seen it meself. You can see those in Hawaii a lot. But only if there are no clouds on the horizon. Very cool!Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1969912 0 #3 July 1, 2007 How bright is it? I watched maybe 100 sunsets at Avila Beach and Pismo Beach hoping to see one, but they're pretty elusive. Some day. "Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ." -NickDG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #4 July 1, 2007 QuoteHow bright is it? I watched maybe 100 sunsets at Avila Beach and Pismo Beach hoping to see one, but they're pretty elusive. Some day. It depends on how clear the horizon is. The one's I've seen were bright aqua green/blue. I think with the CA smog it might be hard to catch one. I've sat on the beach in Malibu many times and have yet to see one.Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MF42 0 #5 July 1, 2007 I've always wondered why the green flash is associated with sunsets and not sunrises. If it's caused by refraction and the horizon, shouldn't it occur both coming and going? Never seen it, but hope I do. :) Matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1969912 0 #6 July 1, 2007 That's what i always heard, but the wiki page says it can happen with either one, but only when I'm not around. "Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ." -NickDG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #7 July 1, 2007 QuoteI've always wondered why the green flash is associated with sunsets and not sunrises. If it's caused by refraction and the horizon, shouldn't it occur both coming and going? Never seen it, but hope I do. :) http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/atmos/redsun.html Scroll down.Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MF42 0 #8 July 1, 2007 Thanks for the link... but I don't see an answer to my question there. Maybe I didn't understand a point in one of the entries. I wonder about this because I have easy access to a clear eastern horizon, but not the west, so sunrises are much easier to come by. Matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveJack 1 #10 July 2, 2007 I finally saw one in Hawaii earlier this year. Really cool. I have been to Key West many times and large groups of people would hang out at sunset looking for it. I never saw one and I kind of wondered if it was an urban myth. Well, I saw it with my own eyes. It was quick but spectacular. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
