The Mysterious Shimmer: Unveiling the Changing Colors of the Night Sky
Have you ever looked up at the darkest night sky and wondered if there's more to see than just stars? Thanks to dedicated astrophotographers, we can now glimpse a hidden spectacle – the subtle yet stunning transformation of colors that paint our atmosphere.
A Tale of Two Colors in the Atacama
Captured under the exceptionally dark skies of the Atacama Desert, these remarkable photographs showcase a phenomenon known as airglow. Taken just three hours apart with identical camera settings, they reveal a noticeable shift in the sky's subtle hues.
So, what causes this celestial performance?
The Science Behind the Glow
The magic happens high above us, where molecules in our atmosphere interact with solar radiation. During the day, ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun split molecules like hydroxyl (OH) and oxygen (O). As night falls, these broken molecules begin to recombine.
This recombination process releases energy, and in doing so, emits light. Hydroxyl molecules primarily release red light, while oxygen molecules are responsible for the green glow. The prominence of each color can change throughout the night, with red often more visible in the early hours and green dominating as the night progresses.
An Invisible Spectacle
While this airglow is a beautiful natural process, it's often too faint for the human eye to perceive. Our eyes are simply not sensitive enough to detect these subtle emissions. However, cameras, with their longer exposure times and greater sensitivity to light, can easily capture these ethereal colors.
For those who wish to see the dynamic evolution of this airglow over the course of a night, a captivating timelapse is available on Instagram . It’s a testament to how technology can help us appreciate the wonders of the universe that often remain hidden from our direct sight.
Camera Used: Sony A7iii (ha mod) Lens Used: Sony 24mm GM
