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Astronomy Picture of the Day - Anticrepuscular Rays over Sicily
NASA ^ | 25 Jun, 2026 | Image Credit & Copyright: Marcella Giulia Pace Text: Cecilia Chirenti (NASA GSFC, UMCP, CRESST II)

Posted on 06/25/2026 1:43:19 PM PDT by MtnClimber

Explanation: The Sun has just set... in the opposite side of the sky. Pictured here are anticrepuscular rays apparently converging in the east in this image of the limestone plateau in the heart of the Hyblaean Mountains of southeastern Sicily, in Italy. How were these anticrepuscular rays formed, if the Sun wasn't there? After the Sun set (in the west, as usual) its light still illuminated a cloud higher up in the sky. Partially blocked by the cloud, the sunlight produced patterns of light and shadow, crossing the sky in parallel lines. Perspective makes it look like they converge in the east, in the same way that train tracks appear to meet in the distance. This effect can also happen at sunrise, only the directions are exchanged. In rare cases, both crepuscular and anticrepuscular rays can be seen at the same time.


TOPICS: Astronomy; Astronomy Picture of the Day; Science
KEYWORDS: apod; nasa

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For more detail go to the link and click on the image for a high definition image. You can then move the magnifying glass cursor then click to zoom in and click again to zoom out. When zoomed in you can scan by moving the side bars on the bottom and right side of the image.

1 posted on 06/25/2026 1:43:19 PM PDT by MtnClimber
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To: MtnClimber

2 posted on 06/25/2026 1:44:28 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery, wildlife and climbing, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: 21stCenturion; 21twelve; 4everontheRight; A Navy Vet; A_perfect_lady; abb; AFB-XYZ; AFPhys; ...
Pinging the APOD list

🪐 🌟 🌌 🍔

3 posted on 06/25/2026 1:46:13 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery, wildlife and climbing, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: MtnClimber

4 posted on 06/25/2026 1:49:59 PM PDT by Magnum44 (...against all enemies, foreign and domestic... )
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To: Magnum44

Excellent! Although what I first thought of was the projection of the Grail-Shaped Beacon.

“Bad Zoot!!”


5 posted on 06/25/2026 2:30:52 PM PDT by dayglored (This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24)
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To: MtnClimber

Wow.


6 posted on 06/25/2026 2:48:47 PM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
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To: MtnClimber

Those are beautiful.


7 posted on 06/25/2026 4:36:32 PM PDT by telescope115 (Ad Astra, Ad Deum…)
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To: Magnum44
They remind me of a scene from Walt Disney’s Fantasia.
8 posted on 06/25/2026 4:38:49 PM PDT by telescope115 (Ad Astra, Ad Deum…)
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To: Magnum44
A hand fan? Maybe?


9 posted on 06/25/2026 6:01:51 PM PDT by Deaf and Discerning
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To: MtnClimber
M.C. Nice!

A picture from the side of Sicily you do not normally see!

10 posted on 06/25/2026 6:16:41 PM PDT by Pete from Shawnee Mission ( )
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