A Different Perspective of a Crepuscular Ray
May 12, 2011
Photographer: Michael Grossmann
Summary Author: Michael Grossmann; Jim Foster
We most always notice crepuscular rays as fingers of light and darkness that stretch toward us from the horizon. However, on occasion it’s possible to observe them "sideways". The photo above offering such a view was taken from Kampfelbach, Germany, at sunset, as the cumulonimbus anvil at far right effectively blocked sunlight from reaching the low hills in the distance – middle and left. Note that the wedge-shaped, blue-gray shadow from this towering cloud extends all of the way to the antisolar point. Photo taken on April 22, 2011.