Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Twilight occurs according to the solar elevation angle θ s, which is the position of the geometric center of the Sun relative to the horizon. There are three established and widely accepted subcategories of twilight: civil twilight (nearest the horizon), nautical twilight, and astronomical twilight (farthest from the horizon).
Twilight (both dusk and dawn) is divided into three 6° segments that mark the Sun's position below the horizon. At civil twilight, the center of the Sun's disk appears to be between 1/4° and 6° below the horizon. At nautical twilight, the Sun's altitude is between –6° and –12°. At astronomical twilight, the Sun is between –12° and ...
The period of twilight is shortest at the Equator, where the equinox Sun rises due east and sets due west, at a right angle to the horizon. Each stage of twilight (civil, nautical, and astronomical) lasts only 24 minutes. From anywhere on Earth, the twilight period is shortest around the equinoxes and longest on the solstices. [citation needed]
Civil" twilight occurs when the Sun is between 0 and 6 degrees below the horizon. Nearby planets like Venus and bright stars like Sirius are visible during this period. [3] "Nautical" twilight continues until the Sun is 12 degrees below the horizon. [4] During nautical twilight, the horizon is visible enough for navigation. [5] "Astronomical ...
Civil, nautical, and astronomical twilight. [3] Dusk is the darkest part of evening twilight. The time of dusk is the moment at the very end of astronomical twilight, just before the minimum brightness of the night sky sets in, or may be thought of as the darkest part of evening twilight. [4]
After sunset the civil twilight sets in, and ends when the Sun drops more than 6° below the horizon. This is followed by the nautical twilight, when the Sun reaches heights of −6° and −12°, after which comes the astronomical twilight defined as the period from −12° to −18°. When the Sun drops more than 18° below the horizon, the ...
Get AOL Mail for FREE! Manage your email like never before with travel, photo & document views. Personalize your inbox with themes & tabs. You've Got Mail!
It generally indicates the period of time when the sun is close to the horizon and comprises the periods of civil, nautical and astronomical twilight. The exact times when evening begins and ends are subjective and depend on location and time of year. It may be used colloquially to include the last waning daytime shortly before sunset. [2]