Crepuscular rays in colourful twilight

In August 2011 I noticed colourful twilights with purple light and venus belt in France and Germany during some days. These intense sunsets resulted from volcanic aerosols in the atmosphere.

On August 12, 2011 I could take some photos of the sunset with the purple light near the Gorges du Verdon (Provence/France).  Additionally, there were beautiful crepuscular rays in the sky (photo on top).

Back in Germany I could photograph also such fantastic sunsets with crepuscular rays and anticrepuscular rays.

These pictures (1 – 2) were taken near Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany on August 18 and 23, 2011.

Author: Daniel Eggert, Augsburg, Germany

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Ozone makes twilight wedge blue

Normally, the twilight wedge appears in a rather grey colour. But sometimes, in most cases above an inversion layer, the twilight wedge appears tuquoise-coloured as during this morning twilight on March 2, 2011. The night before had been so clear that the zodiacal light was visible for the naked eye. Towards the sun, above the first light of dawn, the crescent of the moon and Venus made a nice contrast to the blue sky. On the opposite side, there was a definite twilight wedge showing a rarely clear blue colour. This colour is caused by light absorption in the ozone layer.
Above the twilight wedge there was also the venus belt visible. (Photos 1 – 2 – 3 – 4)

Author: Claudia Hinz, Brannenburg, Germany