Stunning Anti-twilight Rays over Santa Cruz de La Palma

Photographer: Jose Fernandez ArozenaSummary Author: Jose Fernandez ArozenaFeatured above is a spectacular set of anticrepuscular or anti-twilight rays I observed over the bay of Santa Cruz de La Palma in the Canary Islands (Spain) during the evening of November 18, 2024. The camera was facing east, opposite the Sun. These lanes of sunlight and darkness (shadows) were cast by massive cumulonimbus clouds that formed within a storm system that descended from the Iberian Peninsula and settled just northwest of La Palma. Although the storm didn't directly affect the island, the meteorological service had issued warnings of potential flooding rains, declaring an alert status. However, the storm dissipated over the ocean, leaving in its wake this awe-inspiring scene, which lasted approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

Anticrepuscular rays appear opposite from the more commonly observed crepuscular rays. While the rays seem to converge, this convergence is actually an optical illusion. They're actually nearly parallel, and thus their apparent meeting point is a perspective effect toward the vanishing point at infinity. 

Photo Details: Taken with a Pixel 6 Pro camera; no additional editing beyond the phone's default settings.

 

Santa Cruz de La Palma, Spain Coordinates: 28.6835, -17.7644

Related Links:Anticrepuscular Rays at the Winter SunsetJose's Website