The green flash captured on film; here it is refracted through
glassThe "Green Flash", also known as the "Green Ray", is a visual
phenomenon that occurs at sunset. It is considered good luck in
some cultures to see the green flash; others see it as a more
foreboding omen. Whatever your view, it is a brief but memorable
sight but you have to be quite lucky to see it. Follow the steps
outlined here to increase your chances.
!! Steps !!
Clouds and haze get in the wayUnderstand the phenomenon of the
green flash. The green flash phenomenon arises as by-products in
astronomical refraction near the horizon, and most green flashes
are the by-product of mirages (see images of some below).[1] It's
elusive because the atmospheric conditions required to produce
the green flash don't happen that commonly, and require a
well-layered atmosphere that allows the index of refraction to
increase without interruption toward the surface of the Earth.
Unfortunately, the atmosphere is usually experiencing turbulence
of differing temperature and humidity levels across the
layers.[2] In plainer English, you need a near perfect clear
horizon for the green ray phenomenon to appear.
* Pollution or haze will prevent clear or any sighting of the green
ray.[3]
* Clouds hanging over the horizon can mar the chances of seeing the
green flash.[4]
Look for a clear, distant horizonChoose your location. Despite
the atmospheric conditions being less conducive to seeing a
green flash, if you know where to look from, you've a much
greater chance of seeing a green flash than insisting on trying
to see it from just any old spot. The green flash can only be
seen over a distant horizon that has a distinct edge to it.[5]
This makes the ocean the best place to view the green flash
from, at or as close as possible to, sea level. It is also
possible to see the green flash over land provided the horizon
is distant enough.
* Hawaii is one of the best locations for viewing the green
flash.[6] The Caribbean is another well-known location for
spotting a green flash.
* The top of a mountain, a tall building, a balloon or aircraft, are
all suitable places for creating the distant horizon needed for
seeing the green flash.[7] Pilots and airplane passengers often
report seeing the green flash from the air.
* Sunset or sunrise are the only timesChoose the right time. The
green flash can only be seen at the very moment that the sun dips
below the horizon at sunset, or when the sun first rises above the
horizon at sunrise. This makes it tricky because blink and you'll
miss it but if you look too soon, the sun will dazzle you and
prevent you from seeing it.
Set up a comfortable positionLocate the place where the sun will
set or rise. You can use an almanac to figure out where the sun
will appear in the sky. Sunset tends to be easier to locate than
sunrise because you already know where the sun is positioned and
given you've only got a brief moment to find the green flash,
knowing the position matters!
* Position yourself so that you're looking directly at the setting
sun. Keep your eyes averted from the sun, however, until only the
very top of the sun is left on the horizon. Do not stare at the
sun itself.
* Wait until the last part of the sun appears
to be touching the horizon.
A picture-perfect exampleWatch for a flash, flicker, or brief
glow of bright green light. It will appear on "top" of the sun
just as the sun appears to slide below the horizon. It may also
appear as a green glow on the horizon just as the sun has set.
Don't expect a huge "flash"; the color seen can be very small
and hard to discern. To help you know what you're looking for,
check photos and visual simulations of the green ray in online
images.[8] Some different sightings of a green flash in photos:
* As the sun sets, a small green flash (mirage)
appears at the top portion of the setting sun.
* More of the mirage.
* Sighting of a green flash.
* Another sighting of a green flash.
Relish it; it really is there only for the
blink of an eye. One to two seconds of duration
is typical.[9]
* Keep looking until it becomes easier to find the green flash.
Seasoned observers of the green flash know where and when to look
and find that, with practice, seeing green flashes is fairly
predictable.[10]
!! Video !!
!! Tips !!
* There is a "fool's flash" as well as the green flash. This is a
green tinged bleaching or (inaccurately termed) "after-image" that
will bother you if you stared at the sun directly, which you
shouldn't do.[11][12]
* Polarizing sunglasses may help to increase your chances of seeing
the green flash.[13]
* The green ray is considered to be a distinct type of green flash
by some observers. This refers to the rarer effect of the usual
green flash followed by a brief ray or glow of green shooting up
from the point of the sunset.[14]
* Green isn't the only color of a green flash; it is also possible
to see blue, yellow, or violet, with green being the most
commonplace color sighted.[15]
!! Warnings !!
* Don't stare directly at the sun, or it can damage your retina!
Staring at the sun is dangerous even when it's rising or setting.
!! Things You\'ll Need !!
* Suitable location with a long view to a clear horizon (sea, land,
or air)
!! Related WikiHows !!
* How to Get Started in Amateur Astronomy
* How to Observe Jupiter
* How to Pick Sunglasses
* How to Stay Safe in the Sun
* How to Find the Planets
!! Sources And Citations !!
!! Article Tools !!
* Read on wikiHow
*
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