Shadow of Roque de los Muchachos
September 09, 2019
Photographer: Jose Fernández Arozena
Summary Authors: Jose Fernández Arozena; Jim Foster
Shown above is the projected shadow of Roque de los Muchachos, the highest mountain on La Palma island (Canary Islands, Spain), at 7,959 feet (2,426 m) above sea level. This photo was captured at sunset on July 25, 2019. You can see the triangular shadow seemingly advancing on the Atlantic Ocean and ascending on the neighboring island of Tenerife, covering the Teide volcano (12,198 ft or 3,718 m).
If there are enough dust and aerosols between the observer and the distant horizon, a mountain’s shadow will be cast upon the atmosphere if viewed from the antisolar point. It matters little whether or not the summit is flat, rounded or pointed, its projected shadow will always appear triangular as viewed from the antisolar point.
Photo Details: Sony A68 camera; ISO 400; 1/160 second exposure; f/5.6; 50 mm.