What’s a green flash and how can I see one? (2024)

FAQs

What’s a green flash and how can I see one? ›

The green flash is a brief occurrence visible just after sunset or before sunrise. It's typically observed where there's a clear sky and an obstructed horizon, such as over the ocean.

This rather rare phenomenon is known as the "green flash." The green color is produced by atmospheric refraction of light, which causes objects near the horizon to appear slightly higher in the sky than they really are.

The Green Flash is an optical phenomena that occurs when light from the setting (or rising) sun (or moon!) is separated (i.e., refracted) through layers of the lower atmosphere. The refraction is enhanced when layers of different density air causes mirages in the lower atmosphere.

Another saying is if someone sees the green flash they will never go wrong in matters of the heart. An English weather proverb says Glimpse you 'ere the green ray, Count the 'morrow a fine day. Despite these sayings, it all comes down to weather science.

To observe the green flash, it's best to wait until the sun is almost completely below the horizon, avoiding looking directly at the bright sunrise or sunset beforehand as it could mess up your vision. It is also best to look over an obstructed horizon like the ocean, but it could also be seen up in the sky on a plane.

Green flash occurs because the atmosphere causes the light from the Sun to separate, or refract, into different frequencies. Green flashes are enhanced by mirages, which increase refraction.

Les explains that the green flash is part of a mirage: Inferior mirages are produced by warm air at the ocean or earth's surface and an air temperature gradient changing rapidly with height. Rays from a low sun are refracted back upward as they pass between the cool and warm layers.

Null has observed this only rarely, even after over 45 years of documenting this phenomenon. Green flashes can be sustained if the conditions in the atmosphere stay stable enough, he said. "It's really weird when you see green in the sky," Courtial said, which is likely why the green flash is so intriguing.

Although the green flash usually lasts between one and three seconds, it was observed on and off for a full 35 minutes on October 16, 1929 by Admiral Byrd's expedition at the Little America base on Antarctica.

In comparison, the sun is small and the flash is really tiny. For sunset photography any focal length lens will make a good sunset image, but to really capture the green flash, a long telephoto lens is needed.

Does a spy camera have green light? ›

Search for Indicator LEDs: In the dark, carefully look for small, blinking lights. Many hidden cameras have red or green LEDs that either blink or stay illuminated in low-light conditions.

while the sensor (as a whole) has photo-sites that can detect red or green or blue light... no individual pixel can see all three color channels.

According to Stefanie G. Schuman, MD, a retina specialist at Duke Eye Center, eye flashes and eye floaters are often caused by changes in the vitreous gel, the substance that gives the eye its shape. Those changes may result from aging, extreme near-sightedness, or a previous eye surgery.

A flashing green light on a traffic signal means the signal is pedestrian activated. So, when you approach a flashing green light, use caution, because the signal could be activated by a pedestrian at any time and you might have to stop and let the pedestrian to cross.

Green is great for outdoors as animals, insects, and fish typically do not react to seeing a green led light source. Visually your eye responds better to green and blue color lighting. Protects your night vision and avoids eye strain typically associated with using white LEDs for an extended period.

It is said that once you have seen a green flash, you will never again go wrong in matters of the heart.