Twilight wedge (w-835-27)

In gallery: Photos of the month (2006)
Related photos: Atmospheric optics Twilight phenomena Twilight wedge

This photo, taken at an elevation of 3.2 km above sea level, shows the shadow of the earth (twilight wedge) rising in the east following sunset in the west. The photo was taken looking to the southeast and nicely shows why the shadow is called a wedge. At higher elevations the horizon is lower, and the shadow can be visible even before actual sunset. The pink band bordering the dark blue shadow is called Venus' belt, or the countertwilight.

Photo taken in the evening of November 8, from the Langmuir Laboratory for atmospheric research in New Mexico (USA). I went to the laboratory to witness the transit of Mercury. Nikon FE, 16mm fisheye lens, Fujichrome Provia 100F film.