Stunning Crepuscular Rays

May 18, 2006

Crepimg-0025

Provided by: Wolfgang Hinz
Summary authors & editors: Claudia Hinz; Jim Foster

This gorgeous photo showing pre dawn crepuscular rays was taken from Lukla, Nepal in November of 2000. As the Sun rises (or sets), rays of light interspersed with darker bands (shadows) can on occasion be seen in the direction of the Sun. Rarely are they as spectacular as these. The shadows result from clouds below the horizon but can also be caused by mountain peaks, as is the case here. Crepuscular rays seem to converge toward the horizon, but in actuality, they're parallel.

Related Links: