Forum 04/01/2004

“Green Flashes”

Andrew Young – Department of Astronomy, SDSU

Green flashes are startling and beautiful low-Sun phenomena produced by the dispersion of atmospheric refraction. Because they were popularized by Jules Verne in his 1882 novel Le Rayon-Vert, many people suppose green flashes are fictitious.  But they are quite real (though Verne’s old Scottish legend is not).  Photographs and simulations of the commonest green flashes will be shown.  Additional pictures and animations are available at:  http://mintaka.sdsu.edu/GF/.