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{{Short description|Atmospheric illumination by the Sun below the horizon}}
[[Image:{{#switch: {{#expr:{{NUMBEROFEDITS:R}} mod 9}}<!--
{{other uses}}
-->|1=Baker beach at twilight 41<!--
[[File:Twilight description full day.svg|thumb|300px|Twilight is the time period between [[dawn]] and [[sunrise]], and between [[sunset]] and [[dusk]].]]
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[[File:Twilight-dawn subcategories.svg|thumb|right|300px|[[Morning]] twilight: astronomical, nautical, and civil stages at dawn. The apparent disk of the Sun is shown to scale.<ref name="Low precision formulae">{{cite journal|bibcode=1979ApJS...41..391V|last=Van Flandern |first=T. |author2=K. Pulkkinen |title=Low precision formulae for planetary positions |journal=Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series |volume=31 |issue=3 |year=1980 |page=391 |doi=10.1086/190623 }}</ref>]]
-->|3=Dawn in Hong Kong<!--
[[File:Twilight subcategories.svg|thumb|right|300px|[[Evening]] twilight: civil, nautical, and astronomical stages at dusk. The solar disk is shown to scale.]]
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[[File:蘿蔔坑夜色.jpg|Figures in [[silhouette]] during twilight|250px|thumb]]


'''Twilight''' is [[sunlight|sunlight illumination]] produced by [[diffuse sky radiation]] when the [[Sun]] is below the horizon as sunlight from the upper atmosphere is [[scattering|scattered]] in a way that illuminates both the [[Earth's atmosphere|Earth's lower atmosphere]] and also the Earth's surface. ''Twilight'' also is any period when this illumination occurs.
{{Otheruses}}'''
'''Twilight''''''''Italic text'HI MY NAME IS PEDRO IM JUSTIN BIEBER BUT I ALSO LIKE TO DO MOVIES I ALSO CAME OUT IN THE MOVIE SHARK BOY AND LAVA GIRL BEST MOVIE SO IF U WANT A SIGNATURE I GO TO HAWTHORNE, CA 90250 HAWHTORNE HIGH SCHOOL ' is the time between [[dawn]] and [[sunrise]], and between [[sunset]] and [[dusk]]. [[Sunlight]] [[Scattering|scattered]] in the upper [[Earth's atmosphere|atmosphere]] illuminates the lower atmosphere, and the surface of the [[Earth]] is neither completely lit nor completely dark. The sun itself is not actually visible because it is below the [[horizon]]. Owing to the unusual<!-- This is not always of short duration, it may last for days at very high latitudes. --> quality of the [[ambient light]] at this time, twilight has long been popular with photographers and painters, who refer to it as the "[[blue hour]]", after the [[French language|French]] expression ''l'heure bleue''{{Citation needed|date=May 2010}}. Twilight is technically defined as the period before sunrise and after sunset during which there is natural light provided by the upper atmosphere, which receives direct sunlight and scatters part of it towards the Earth's surface.<ref name=USNO>{{cite web|url=http://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/docs/RST_defs.php |title=Definitions from the US Astronomical Applications Dept (USNO)|accessdate=2009-03-03}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>


The lower the Sun is beneath the horizon, the dimmer the sky (other factors such as atmospheric conditions being equal). When the Sun reaches 18° below the horizon, the illumination emanating from the sky is nearly zero, and [[evening]] twilight becomes [[night]]time. When the Sun approaches re-emergence, reaching 18° below the horizon, nighttime becomes morning twilight. Owing to its distinctive quality, primarily the absence of shadows and the appearance of objects silhouetted against the lit sky, twilight has long been popular with photographers and painters, who often refer to it as the [[blue hour]], after the [[French language|French]] expression {{lang|fr|l'heure bleue}}.
The [[collateral adjective]] of ''twilight'' is ''[[crepuscular]]'' (for daylight it is ''[[diurnality|diurnal]]'' and for night, ''[[nocturnality|nocturnal]]''). The term is most frequently encountered when applied to certain species of [[insect]]s and [[mammal]]s that are most active during that time.
==Definitions==
[[Image:Types-of-twilight-en2.svg|250px|thumb|Description of Twilight]]
[[File:TheTwilight.jpg|Twilight after Sunset in [[Parbhani]]|250px|thumb]]
Twilight is defined according to the [[solar elevation angle]] <math>\theta_\mathrm{s}</math>, which is the position of the geometric center of the [[sun]] relative to the horizon. There are three established and widely accepted ''subcategories'' of twilight: civil twilight (brightest), nautical twilight, and astronomical twilight (darkest). <ref name="USNO definitions">{{cite web|title=Rise, Set, and Twilight Definitions |url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/astronomical-applications/astronomical-information-center/rise-set-twi-defs|work=US Naval Observatory|publisher=United States Navy}}</ref>
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center"
|-
! Definition
! Sun's centre relative to mathematical horizon<ref name="Low precision formulae">{{cite journal|url=http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-iarticle_query?db_key=AST&bibcode=1979ApJS...41..391V&letter=0&classic=YES&defaultprint=YES&whole_paper=YES&page=391&epage=391&send=Send+PDF&filetype=.pdf|last=Van Flandern|first=T.|coauthors=K. Pulkkinen|title=Low precision formulae for planetary positions|journal=Astrophysical Journal, Supplement Series |volume=31|issue=3|year=1980}}</ref>
|-
| align=center|Day
| align=center| −0°&nbsp;50' ≤ <math>\theta_\mathrm{s}</math><!-- &le; 90° -->
|-
| align=center|Sun's lower limb at horizon
| align=center| <math>\theta_\mathrm{s}</math> = −0°&nbsp;20'
|-
| align=center|Center of Sun's disk at horizon
| align=center| <math>\theta_\mathrm{s}</math> = −0°&nbsp;35'
|-
| align=center|Sun's upper limb at horizon
| align=center| <math>\theta_\mathrm{s}</math> = −0°&nbsp;50'
|-
| align=center|Civil twilight
| align=center| −6° ≤ <math>\theta_\mathrm{s}</math> &lt; −0°&nbsp;50'
|-
| align=center|Nautical twilight
| align=center| −12° ≤ <math>\theta_\mathrm{s}</math> &lt; −6°
|-
| align=center|Astronomical twilight
| align=center| −18° ≤ <math>\theta_\mathrm{s}</math> &lt; −12°
|-
| align=center|Night
| align=center| <!-- -90° &le; --><math>\theta_\mathrm{s}</math> &lt; −18°
|}
{{-}}


By analogy with evening twilight, sometimes ''twilight'' is used [[metaphor]]ically to imply that something is losing strength and approaching its end. For example, [[Ageing|very old people]] may be said to be "in the twilight of their lives". The [[collateral adjective]] for ''twilight'' is ''[[crepuscular]]'', which may be used to describe the behavior of animals that are most active during this period.
(For these definitions, an [[horizon|ideal horizon]] 90° from the [[zenith]] is used.)
{{TOC limit|3}}


==Definitions by geometry==
===Civil twilight===
Twilight occurs according to the [[solar elevation angle]] ''θ<sub>s</sub>'', which is the position of the geometric center of the [[Sun]] relative to the horizon. There are three established and widely accepted ''subcategories'' of twilight: civil twilight (nearest the horizon), nautical twilight, and astronomical twilight (farthest from the horizon).<ref name=USNO>{{cite web |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190927072432/http://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/docs/RST_defs.php |archive-date = 2019-09-27 |url=http://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/docs/RST_defs.php |title=Definitions from the US Astronomical Applications Dept |publisher=[[United States Naval Observatory|USNO]] |access-date=2011-07-22}}</ref>
[[Image:PanoSantPere.jpg|250px|thumb|Under civil twilight circumstances, the horizon is clearly visible, and terrestrial objects are easily perceptible, without artificial light.]]


== Civil twilight ==
{{For|the band Civil Twilight|Civil Twilight (band)}}
{{redirect|Civil twilight}}
Morning civil twilight ('''civil dawn''') begins when the geometric center of the [[sun]] is 6° below the [[horizon]] and ends at sunrise. Evening civil twilight ('''civil dusk''') begins at sunset and ends when the geometric center of the [[sun]] reaches 6° below the horizon.
[[File:Top of Rock Cropped.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Midtown Manhattan]] during civil twilight, demonstrating blue hour]]
Civil twilight is the period of time for which the geometric center of the Sun is between the horizon and 6° below the horizon.<ref name="TAPN2002">{{cite web |title=The American Practical Navigator |url=https://flaterco.com/files/xtide/Bowditch.pdf |website=FlaterCo |access-date=15 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205225742/https://flaterco.com/files/xtide/Bowditch.pdf |archive-date=5 December 2021 |page=227 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="GOMN">http://msi.nga.mil/MSISiteContent/StaticFiles/NAV_PUBS/APN/Gloss-1.pdf#9 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829062838/http://msi.nga.mil/MSISiteContent/StaticFiles/NAV_PUBS/APN/Gloss-1.pdf#9|date=2017-08-29}} Glossary of Marine Navigation</ref><ref name="Cambridge">http://www.ast.cam.ac.uk/public/ask/2445 University of Cambridge – Institute of Astronomy – Ask an Astronomer ['''NB: questionable source as its sources refer back to Wikipedia''']</ref>


The brightest stars appear during the civil twilight, as well as planets, such as [[Venus]], which is known as the 'morning star' and/or 'evening star'. During this period there is enough light from the sun that artificial sources of light may not be needed to carry on outdoor activities. This concept is sometimes enshrined in laws, for example, when drivers of automobiles must turn on their headlights, when pilots may exercise the rights to fly aircraft, or if the crime of [[burglary]] is to be treated as nighttime burglary, which carries stiffer penalties in some jurisdictions. A fixed period (most commonly 30 minutes after sunset or before sunrise) is typically used in such statutes, rather than how many degrees the sun is below the horizon. Civil twilight can also be described as the limit at which twilight illumination is sufficient, under good weather conditions, for terrestrial objects to be clearly distinguished; at the beginning of morning civil twilight, or end of evening civil twilight, the horizon is clearly defined and the brightest stars are visible under good atmospheric conditions.


===Nautical twilight===
[[File:Twilight at acapulco edit.jpg|250px|thumb|Nautical twilight in [[Acapulco]], with visible stars and horizon]]


Civil twilight is the period when enough natural light remains so that artificial light in towns and cities is not needed. In the United States' military, the [[acronym|initialisms]] BMCT (''begin morning civil twilight'', i.e., civil dawn) and EECT (''end evening civil twilight'', i.e., civil dusk) are used to refer to the start of morning civil twilight and the end of evening civil twilight, respectively. Civil dawn is preceded by morning nautical twilight and civil dusk is followed by evening nautical twilight.[[File:Powder Blue Desert Twilight.jpg|thumb|left|Civil twilight in a small town in the [[Mojave Desert]]]]
Nautical twilight is the time when the center of the sun is between 6° and 12° below the horizon. In general, nautical twilight ends when navigation via the horizon at sea is no longer possible.<ref name="Low precision formulae" />


Under clear weather conditions, civil twilight approximates the limit at which solar illumination suffices for the human eye to clearly distinguish terrestrial objects. Enough illumination renders artificial sources unnecessary for most outdoor activities. At civil dawn and at civil dusk, sunlight clearly defines the horizon while the brightest stars and planets can appear. As observed from the Earth (see [[apparent magnitude]]), sky-gazers know [[Venus]], the brightest planet, as the "morning star" or "evening star" because they can see it during civil twilight.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/civil-twilight.html|title=What Is Civil Twilight?|website=www.timeanddate.com}}</ref>
During nautical twilight, sailors can take reliable star sights of well-known stars, using a visible horizon for reference. The end of this period in the evening, or its beginning in the morning, is also the time at which traces of illumination near the sunset or sunrise point of the horizon are very difficult if not impossible to discern (this often being referred to as "first light" before civil dawn and "nightfall" after civil dusk). At the beginning of nautical twilight in the morning ('''nautical dawn'''), or at the end of nautical twilight in the evening ('''nautical dusk'''), under good atmospheric conditions and in the absence of other illumination, general outlines of ground objects may be distinguishable, but detailed outdoor operations are not possible, and the horizon is indistinct.


Although civil dawn marks the time of the first appearance of civil twilight before sunrise, and civil dusk marks the time of the first disappearance of civil twilight after sunset, civil twilight statutes typically denote a fixed period after sunset or before sunrise (most commonly 20–30 minutes) rather than how many degrees the Sun is below the horizon. Examples include when drivers of automobiles must turn on their headlights (called [[lighting-up time]] in the UK), when hunting is restricted, or when the crime of [[burglary]] is to be treated as nighttime burglary, which carries stiffer penalties in some jurisdictions.
Nautical twilight has military considerations as well. The initialisms '''BMNT''' (begin morning nautical twilight) and '''EENT''' (end evening nautical twilight) are used and considered when planning military operations. A military unit may treat BMNT and EENT with heightened security (i.e. a process called "stand to" in which every one assumes their defensive positions). This is partially due to tactics dating back to the [[French and Indian War]] (part of the [[Seven Year's War]] of 1756-1763), when combatants on both sides would use BMNT and EENT to launch attacks.


The period may affect when extra equipment, such as anti-collision lights, is required for aircraft to operate.<ref>{{CodeFedReg|14|121.323}}</ref> In the US, civil twilight for aviation is defined in Part 1.1 of the [[Federal Aviation Regulations]] (FARs)<ref>{{cite web |work= ELECTRONIC CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS |title= Title 14: Aeronautics and Space PART 1 – Definitions |publisher= U.S. Government Publishing Office |url= http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=5322094d58036e143135918076f83a7d&mc=true&node=se14.1.1_11&rgn=div8}}
===Astronomical twilight===
</ref> as the time listed in the American Air Almanac.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aa.usno.navy.mil/publications/aira|title=The Air Almanac|website=aa.usno.navy.mil}}</ref>
[[File:Prague Castle at Night.jpg|250px|thumb|Astronomical twilight at [[Prague Castle]]]]


== Nautical twilight ==
Astronomical twilight is the time when the center of the Sun is between 12° and 18° below the horizon. From the end of astronomical twilight in the evening to the beginning of astronomical twilight in the morning, the sky (away from urban [[light pollution]]) is dark enough for all astronomical observations.
[[File:Twilight Toronto across Lake Ontario51km with ship5-10km.jpg|thumb|Evening nautical twilight on [[Lake Ontario]], Canada|250x250px]]Nautical twilight occurs when the geometric center of the Sun is between 12° and 6° below the horizon.<ref name="timeanddate1">{{cite web|url=https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/nautical-twilight.html|title=What Is Nautical Twilight?|website=www.timeanddate.com}}</ref><ref name="TAPN2002" /><ref name="Cambridge" />[[File:Twilight in Landers.jpg|thumb|left|Long exposure of nautical twilight in a small town in the Mojave Desert]]


After nautical dusk and before nautical dawn, sailors cannot navigate via the horizon at sea as they cannot clearly see the horizon.<ref name="Low precision formulae"/>{{failed verification|date=April 2018}} At nautical dawn and nautical dusk, the human eye finds it difficult, if not impossible, to discern traces of illumination near the sunset or sunrise point of the horizon (''first light'' after nautical dawn but before civil dawn and ''nightfall'' after civil dusk but before nautical dusk).{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}
Most casual observers would consider the entire sky already fully dark even when astronomical twilight is just beginning in the evening or just ending in the morning, and astronomers can easily make observations of [[point source]]s such as [[star]]s, but faint diffuse items such as [[nebula]]e and [[galaxy|galaxies]] can only be properly observed beyond the limit of astronomical twilight. Theoretically, the dimmest stars ever visible to the naked eye&mdash;those of the sixth [[Apparent magnitude|magnitude]]&mdash;will appear in the evening once the sun falls more than 18° below the horizon (i.e. when '''astronomical dusk''' ends) and disappear when the sun moves to within 18° of the horizon in the morning (when '''astronomical dawn''' begins). However, because of [[light pollution]], some localities&mdash;generally those in large cities&mdash;may never have the opportunity to view even fourth-magnitude stars, irrespective of the presence of any twilight at all.<ref name="USNO"/>


[[File:PanoSantPere.jpg|thumb|250x250px|At the beginning of nautical twilight, artificial lighting must be used to see terrestrial objects clearly.]] Sailors can take reliable star sightings of well-known stars, during the stage of nautical twilight when they can distinguish a visible horizon for reference (i.e. after astronomic dawn or before astronomic dusk).
==Length==
Under good atmospheric conditions with the absence of other illumination, during nautical twilight, the human eye may distinguish general outlines of ground objects but cannot participate in detailed outdoor operations.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/docs/RST_defs.php |title=Rise, Set, and Twilight Definitions |access-date=2007-09-06 |archive-date=2015-08-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150814180458/http://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/docs/RST_defs.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>


Nautical twilight has military considerations as well. The initialisms BMNT (begin morning nautical twilight, ''i.e.'' nautical dawn) and EENT (end evening nautical twilight, ''i.e.'' nautical dusk) are used and considered when planning military operations. A military unit may treat BMNT and EENT with heightened security, e.g. by "standing to", for which everyone assumes a defensive position.
[[Image:Daylight Length.svg|thumb|350px|The number of daylight hours depends on the latitude and time of year. There are brief times in March and September where continuous daylight exists at locations near both poles.]]


==Astronomical twilight==
The length of twilight after sunset and before sunrise is heavily influenced by the [[latitude]] of the observer. In the [[Arctic]] and [[Antarctic]] regions, twilight (if at all) can last for several hours. There is no civil twilight at the poles within a month on either side of the winter solstice. At the poles, civil twilight can be as long as two weeks, while at the [[equator]], it can go from day to night in as little as twenty minutes. This is because at [[low latitudes]] the sun's apparent movement is [[perpendicular]] to the observer's horizon. As one gets closer to the Arctic and Antarctic circles, the sun's disk moves toward the observer's horizon at a lower angle. The observer's earthly location will pass through the various twilight zones less directly, taking more time.
[[File:Desert Dusk.jpg|thumb|Long exposure of astronomical twilight in a small town in the [[Mojave Desert]]|left]]
[[File:Moonrise over kuala lumpur.jpg|thumb|Astronomical twilight (dusk) with a crescent moon, as seen from [[Kuala Lumpur|Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia]]]]


Astronomical twilight is defined as when the geometric center of the Sun is between 18° and 12° below the horizon.<ref name="TAPN2002" /><ref name="GOMN" /><ref name="USNO" /> During astronomical twilight, the sky is dark enough to permit astronomical observation of point sources of light such as [[star]]s, except in regions with more intense [[skyglow]] due to [[light pollution]], [[moonlight]], [[aurora]]s, and other sources of light. Some critical observations, such as of faint diffuse items such as [[nebula]]e and [[galaxy|galaxies]], may require observation beyond the limit of astronomical twilight. Theoretically, the faintest stars detectable by the naked eye (those of approximately the sixth magnitude) will become visible in the evening at astronomical dusk, and become invisible at [[Dawn#Astronomical dawn|astronomical dawn]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timeanddate.com/astronomy/astronomical-twilight.html |title=What Is Astronomical Twilight? |publisher=timeanddate.com}}</ref>
Within the [[polar circle]]s, [[midnight sun|twenty-four hour daylight]] is encountered in summer and in regions very close to the poles, twilight can last for weeks on the winter side of the [[equinox]]es. Outside the polar circles, where the angular distance from the polar circle is less than the angle which defines twilight (see above), twilight can continue through local midnight near the [[summer solstice]] (June in the Northern Hemisphere, December in the Southern Hemisphere). The precise position of the polar circles, and thus of the regions where twilight can continue through local midnight, varies slightly from year to year with Earth's [[axial tilt]]. The lowest latitudes at which the various twilights can continue through local midnight are approximately 60.561°&nbsp;(&nbsp;60°&nbsp;33’&nbsp;43”&nbsp;) for civil twilight, 54.561°&nbsp;(&nbsp;54°&nbsp;33’&nbsp;43”&nbsp;) for nautical twilight and 48.561°&nbsp;(&nbsp;48°&nbsp;33’&nbsp;43”&nbsp;) for astronomical twilight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://herbert.gandraxa.com/herbert/lod.asp |title=Length of Day and Twilight (Formulas) |publisher=Herbert.gandraxa.com |date= |accessdate=2009-08-17}}</ref><ref>Herbert Glarner's website, reference 2. "Civil Twilight" "6°", "Nautical Twilight" "12°". "90°-Axis(23.439°)-12°=54.561°.</ref>


==Times of occurrence==
These are the largest cities, of their respective countries, where the various twilights can continue through local solar midnight:
[[File:Twilight latitudes world map.svg|thumb|World map showing limiting latitudes of each type of twilight during the solstices]]


===Between day and night===
* Civil twilight from sunset to sunrise: [[Arkhangelsk]], [[Tampere]], [[Umeå]], [[Trondheim]], [[Mid Yell]], [[Tórshavn]], [[Reykjavik]], [[Nuuk]], [[Whitehorse, Yukon|Whitehorse]] and [[Anchorage, Alaska|Anchorage]].
Observers within about 48°34' of the Equator can view twilight twice each day on every date of the year between astronomical [[dawn]], nautical dawn, or civil dawn, and [[sunrise]] as well as between [[sunset]] and civil dusk, nautical dusk, or astronomical dusk. This also occurs for most observers at higher latitudes on many dates throughout the year, except those around the summer solstice. However, at latitudes closer than 8°35' (between 81°25’ and 90°) to either Pole, the Sun cannot rise above the horizon nor sink more than 18° below it on the same day on any date, so this example of twilight cannot occur because the angular difference between solar noon and solar midnight is less than 17°10’.


Observers within 63°26' of the Equator can view twilight twice each day on every date between the month of the autumnal equinox and the month of vernal equinox between astronomical dawn, nautical dawn, or civil dawn, and sunrise as well as between sunset and civil dusk, nautical dusk, or astronomical dusk, i.e., from '''[[September 1]]''' to '''[[March 31|March 31 of the following year]]''' in the '''[[Northern Hemisphere]]''' and from '''[[March 1]]''' to '''[[September 30]]''' in the '''[[Southern Hemisphere]]'''.
* Nautical twilight from civil dusk to civil dawn: [[Petropavl]], [[Moscow]], [[Vicebsk]], [[Vilnius]], [[Riga]], [[Tallinn]], [[Wejherowo]], [[Flensburg]], [[Helsinki]], [[Stockholm]], [[Copenhagen]], [[Oslo]], [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], [[Glasgow]], [[Belfast]], [[Letterkenny]], [[Grande Prairie]], [[Juneau]], [[Ushuaia]] and [[Puerto Williams]].


'''The nighttime/twilight boundary solar midnight's latitude varies depending on the month:'''
* Astronomical twilight from nautical dusk to nautical dawn: [[Hulun Buir]], [[Erdenet]], [[Astana]], [[Samara, Russia|Samara]], [[Kiev]], [[Minsk]], [[Warsaw]], [[Košice]], [[Zwettl]], [[Prague]], [[Berlin]], [[Paris]], [[Luxembourg city]], [[Brussels]], [[Amsterdam]], [[London]], [[Cardiff]], [[Dublin]], [[Calgary]], [[Vancouver]], [[Cut Bank, Montana|Cut Bank]], [[International Falls, Minnesota|International Falls]], [[Bellingham, Washington|Bellingham]], [[Rio Gallegos]] and [[Punta Arenas]].


* In January or July, astronomical dawn to sunrise or sunset to astronomical dusk occurs at latitudes less than 48°50' North or South, because then the Sun's declination is less than 23°10' from the Equator;
Although Helsinki, Oslo, Stockholm, Tallinn and [[Saint Petersburg]] do not actually receive civil twilight from sunset to sunrise, they do have noticeably lighter skies at night (known as [[White Nights|white nights]]) around the summer solstice.

* In February or August, astronomical dawn to sunrise or sunset to astronomical dusk occurs at latitudes less than 53°47' North or South, because then the Sun's declination is less than 18°13' from the Equator;

* In March or September before the equinoxes, astronomical dawn to sunrise or sunset to astronomical dusk occurs at latitudes less than 63°26' North or South, because before the equinoxes the Sun's declination is then less than 8°34' from the Equator;

* During the equinoxes, astronomical dawn to sunrise or sunset to astronomical dusk occurs at latitudes less than 72°00' North or South, because during the equinoxes the Sun is crossing the [[Equator|Equator line]];

* In March or September after the equinoxes, astronomical dawn to sunrise or sunset to astronomical dusk occurs at latitudes less than 67°45' North or South, because after the equinoxes the Sun's declination is then less than 4°15' from the Equator;

* In April or October, astronomical dawn to sunrise or sunset to astronomical dusk occurs at latitudes less than 57°09' North or South, because the Sun's declination is then less than 14°51' from the Equator;

* In May or November, astronomical dawn to sunrise or sunset to astronomical dusk occurs at latitudes less than 50°03' North or South, because the Sun's declination is then less than 21°57' from the Equator;

* In June or December, astronomical dawn to sunrise or sunset to astronomical dusk occurs at latitudes less than 48°34' North or South, because in June the Sun crosses the [[Tropic of Cancer|Tropic of Cancer (about 23°26' North)]] and in December the Sun crosses the [[Tropic of Capricorn|Tropic of Capricorn (about 23°26' South)]].

=== Lasting from one day to the next ===
[[File:Twilight and Sunrise in Gjøvik in February 2021.webm|thumb|Timelapse video of twilight and sunrise in [[Gjøvik]] in February 2021]]
At latitudes greater than about 48°34' North or South, on dates near the summer solstice ([[June 21]] in the Northern Hemisphere or [[December 21]] in the Southern Hemisphere), twilight can last from sunset to sunrise, since the Sun does not sink more than 18 degrees below the horizon, so complete darkness does not occur even at solar midnight. These latitudes include many densely populated regions of the Earth, including the entire [[United Kingdom]] and other countries in [[northern Europe]] and even parts of [[central Europe]]. This also occurs in the Southern Hemisphere, but occurs on December 21. This type of twilight also occurs between one day and the next at latitudes within the polar circles shortly before and shortly after the period of midnight sun. The summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere is on [[June 21]]st, while the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere is on [[December 21]]st.

* Civil twilight: between about 60°34' and 65°44' [[June Solstice|north]] or [[December Solstice|south]]. In the northern hemisphere, this includes the center of [[Alaska]], [[Iceland]], [[Finland]], [[Sweden]], [[Norway]], [[Faroe Islands]] and [[Shetland]]. In the southern hemisphere this includes parts of the [[Southern Ocean]] and the northern tip of the [[Antarctic Peninsula]]. When ''civil'' twilight lasts all night, this is also referred as a [[White night (astronomy)|white night]].
* Nautical twilight: between about 54°34' and 60°34' north or south. In the northern hemisphere this includes the center of [[Alaska]], [[Russia]], [[Canada]], [[Estonia]], [[Latvia]], [[Scotland]], [[Norway]], [[Sweden]], [[Finland]], [[Lithuania]], and [[Denmark]]. In the southern hemisphere this includes the southernmost point of [[South America]], [[Ushuaia]] in [[Argentina]] and [[Puerto Williams]] in [[Chile]]. When ''nautical'' twilight lasts all night, this is also referred as a white night.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sunrise and sunset times in Saint-Petersburg |url=https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/russia/saint-peterburg |access-date=2023-08-26 |website=www.timeanddate.com |language=en}}</ref>
* Astronomical twilight: between about 48°34' and 54°34' north or [[December Solstice|south]]. In the northern hemisphere, this includes the center of [[Isle of Man]], [[Aleutian Islands]], [[United Kingdom]], [[Belarus]], [[Ireland]], [[Netherlands]], [[Poland]], [[Germany]], [[Belgium]], [[Czech Republic]], [[Bellingham, Washington]], [[Orcas Island, Washington]], [[Vancouver, British Columbia]], [[Paris, France]], [[Luxembourg]], [[Guernsey]], [[Ukraine]], [[Slovakia]] and [[Hungary]]. In the southern hemisphere this includes the center of [[South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands]], [[Bouvet Island]], [[Heard Island]], [[Falkland Islands]]. It also includes [[El Calafate]] and [[Río Gallegos]] in [[Argentina]], and [[Puerto Natales]] in [[Chile]]. When ''astronomical'' twilight lasts all night, this does not constitute a white night. This phenomenon is known as the ''[[wiktionary:grey night|grey nights]]'', nights when it does not get dark enough for [[astronomers]] to do their observations of the [[Deep-sky object|deep sky]].

===Between one night and the next===
In [[Arctic]] and [[Antarctic]] latitudes in wintertime, the [[polar night]] only rarely produces complete darkness for 24&nbsp;hours each day. This can occur only at locations within about 5.5&nbsp;degrees of latitude of the Pole, and there only on dates close to the [[winter solstice]]. At all other latitudes and dates, the polar night includes a daily period of twilight, when the Sun is not far below the horizon. Around winter solstice, when the solar declination changes slowly, complete darkness lasts several weeks at the Pole itself, e.g., from May 11 to July 31 at [[Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station]].{{efn|This is the range of dates when the Sun is more than 18&nbsp;degrees north of the [[Celestial equator]], so it is more than 18&nbsp;degrees below the horizon as seen from the South Pole. See [[Position of the Sun#Declination of the Sun as seen from Earth]].}} North Pole has the experience of this from November 13 to January 29.

Solar noon at civil twilight during a polar night: between about 67°24' and 72°34' north or [[June Solstice|south]].

Solar noon at nautical twilight during a polar night: between about 72°34' and 78°34' north or south.

Solar noon at astronomical twilight during a polar night: between about 78°34' and 84°34' north or south.

Solar noon at night during a polar night: between approximately 84°34' and exactly 90° north or south.

===Lasting for 24 hours===
At latitudes greater than 81°25' North or South, as the Sun's angular elevation difference is less than 18 degrees, twilight can last for the entire 24 hours. This occurs for one day at latitudes near 8°35’ from the Pole and extends up to several weeks the further toward the Pole one goes. This happens both near the North Pole and near the South Pole. The only permanent settlement to experience this condition is [[Alert, Nunavut]], Canada, where it occurs from February 22–26, and again from October 15–19.

==Duration==
[[File:Daylight Length.svg|thumb|left|The number of daylight hours depends on the latitude and time of year. Each pole has continuous daylight near its [[summer solstice]].]]
[[File:Carpet Plot of Sun-Elevation over a whole Year - North of the Polar Circle.png|thumb|[[Carpet plot]] of sunshine at latitude 70° north]]
[[File:Carpet Plot of Sun-Elevation over a whole Year - Frankfurt.png|thumb|Carpet plot of sunshine at latitude 50° north]]
[[File:Carpet Plot of Sun-Elevation over a whole Year - Equator.png|thumb|Carpet plot of sunshine at the equator]]
[[File:Venus and the Moon strike a pose.jpg|thumb|Twilight at [[Paranal Observatory]] in Chile<ref>{{cite web |title=Venus and the Moon strike a pose |url=http://www.eso.org/public/images/potw1616a/ |access-date=18 April 2016}}</ref>]]

The duration of twilight depends on the latitude and the time of the year. The apparent travel of the Sun occurs at the rate of 15 degrees per hour (360° per day), but sunrise and sunset happen typically at oblique angles to the horizon and the actual duration of any twilight period will be a function of that angle, being longer for more oblique angles. This angle of the Sun's motion with respect to the horizon changes with [[latitude]] as well as the time of year (affecting the angle of the Earth's axis with respect to the Sun).

At [[Greenwich, England]] (51.5°N), the duration of civil twilight will vary from 33 minutes to 48 minutes, depending on the time of year. At the [[equator]], civil twilight can last as little as 24 minutes. This is true because at [[low latitudes]] the Sun's apparent movement is [[perpendicular]] to the observer's horizon. But at the poles, civil twilight can be as long as 2–3 weeks. In the [[Arctic]] and [[Antarctic]] regions, twilight (if there is any) can last for several hours. There is no astronomical twilight at the poles near the [[winter solstice]] (for about 74 days at the North Pole and about 80 days at the South Pole). As one gets closer to the Arctic and Antarctic circles, the Sun's disk moves toward the observer's horizon at a lower angle. The observer's earthly location will pass through the various twilight zones less directly, taking more time.

Within the [[polar circle]]s, [[midnight sun|twenty-four-hour daylight]] is encountered in summer, and in regions very close to the poles, twilight can last for weeks on the winter side of the [[equinox]]es. Outside the polar circles, where the angular distance from the polar circle is less than the angle which defines twilight (see above), twilight can continue through local midnight near the [[summer solstice]]. The precise position of the polar circles, and the regions where twilight can continue through local midnight, varies slightly from year to year with Earth's [[axial tilt]]. The lowest latitudes at which the various twilights can continue through local midnight are approximately 60.561° (60°33′43″) for civil twilight, 54.561° (54°33′43″) for nautical twilight and 48.561° (48°33′43″) for astronomical twilight.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gandraxa.com/length_of_day.xml |title=Length of Day and Twilight (Formulas) |publisher=www.gandraxa.com |access-date=2011-08-26}}</ref><ref>Herbert Glarner's website, reference 2. "Civil Twilight" "6°", "Nautical Twilight" "12°". "90° − Axis(23.439°) − 12° = 54.561°.</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+Lowest-latitude twilight observed at local midnight by month
!Month
!Midnight Sun
!Civil
!Nautical
!Astronomical
|-
|January
|66°00’36.0”S
|60°50’36.0”S
|54°50’36.0”S
|48°50’36.0”S
|-
|February
|70°57’19.5”S
|65°47’19.5”S
|59°47’19.5”S
|53°47’19.5”S
|-
|March<BR>(before equinox)
|80°36’07.0”S
|75°26’07.0”S
|69°26’07.0”S
|63°26’07.0”S
|-
|March<BR>(after equinox)
|84º55’53.0”N
|79º45’53.0”N
|73º45’53.0”N
|67º45’53.0”N
|-
|April
|74°19’50.5”N
|69°09’50.5”N
|63°09’50.5”N
|57°09’50.5”N
|-
|May
|67°13’25.0”N
|62°03’25.0”N
|56°03’25.0”N
|50°03’25.0”N
|-
|June
|65°43’38.6”N
|60°33’38.6”N
|54°33’38.6”N
|48°33’38.6”N
|-
|July
|66°00’36.0”N
|60°50’36.0”N
|54°50’36.0”N
|48°50’36.0”N
|-
|August
|70°57’19.5”N
|65°47’19.5”N
|59°47’19.5”N
|53°47’19.5”N
|-
|September<BR>(before equinox)
|80°36’07.0”N
|75°26’07.0”N
|69°26’07.0”N
|63°26’07.0”N
|-
|September<BR>(after equinox)
|84º55’53.0”S
|79º45’53.0”S
|73º45’53.0”S
|67º45’53.0”S
|-
|October
|74°19’50.5”S
|69°09’50.5”S
|63°09’50.5”S
|57°09’50.5”S
|-
|November
|67°13’25.0”S
|62°03’25.0”S
|56°03’25.0”S
|50°03’25.0”S
|-
|December
|65°43’38.6”S
|60°33’38.6”S
|54°33’38.6”S
|48°33’38.6”S
|}
These are the largest cities of their respective countries where the various twilights can continue through local solar midnight:
* Civil twilight (or white night) from sunset to sunrise: [[Tampere]], [[Oulu]], [[Umeå]], [[Trondheim]], [[Tórshavn]], [[Reykjavík]], [[Nuuk]], [[Whitehorse, Yukon|Whitehorse]], [[Yellowknife, Northwest Territories|Yellowknife]], [[Anchorage, Alaska|Anchorage]], [[Fairbanks, Alaska|Fairbanks]], [[Arkhangelsk]], [[Yakutsk]] and [[Baltasound]]. In the Southern Hemisphere, the only minor permanent settlement to experience this is [[Villa Las Estrellas]], on the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, politically part of Chile.
* Nautical twilight (or if brighter, white night) from civil dusk to civil dawn: [[Saint Petersburg]], [[Moscow]], [[Vitebsk]], [[Vilnius]], [[Riga]], [[Tallinn]], [[Wejherowo]], [[Flensburg]], [[Helsinki]], [[Stockholm]], [[Copenhagen]], [[Oslo]], [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], [[Edinburgh]], [[Glasgow]], [[Belfast]], [[Letterkenny]], [[Petropavl]], [[Nanortalik]], [[Grande Prairie]], [[Juneau]], [[Ushuaia]], and [[Puerto Williams]].
* Astronomical twilight (or grey night) from nautical dusk to nautical dawn: [[Hulun Buir]], [[Erdenet]], [[Nur-Sultan]], [[Samara, Russia|Samara]], [[Kyiv]], [[Minsk]], [[Alytus]], [[Warsaw]], [[Košice]], [[Paris]], [[Dublin]], [[Zwettl]], [[Prague]], [[Stanley, Falkland Islands|Stanley]] (Falkland Islands), [[Berlin]], [[Hamburg]], [[Luxembourg City]], [[Brussels]], [[Amsterdam]], [[London]], [[Cardiff]], [[Vancouver]], [[Calgary]], [[Edmonton]], [[Unalaska, Alaska|Unalaska]], [[Bellingham, Washington|Bellingham]] (largest in the continental USA), [[Rio Gallegos]], and [[Punta Arenas]].
* Major cities that near astronomical twilight (or grey night) from nautical dusk to nautical dawn: [[Khabarovsk]] (48°29'0"N), [[Dnipro]] (48°27'0"N), [[Victoria, British Columbia|Victoria]] (48°25'42"N), [[Saguenay, Quebec|Saguenay]] (48°25′0"N), [[Brest, France|Brest]] (48°23′26"N), [[Thunder Bay]] (48°22′56″N), [[Vienna]] (48°12′30″N), [[Bratislava]] (48°8′38″N), [[Munich]] (48°8'0"N), [[Seattle]] (47°36’35"N)

Although Helsinki, Oslo, Stockholm, Tallinn, and Saint Petersburg also enter into nautical twilight after sunset, they do have noticeably lighter skies at night during the summer solstice than other locations mentioned in their category above, because they do not go far into nautical twilight. A [[White night (astronomy)|white night]] is a night with only civil twilight which lasts from sunset to sunrise.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/white_night |title=white night |website=Wiktionary|date=4 May 2022 }}</ref>

At the winter solstice within the polar circle, twilight can extend through solar noon at latitudes below 72.561° (72°33′43″) for civil twilight, 78.561° (78°33′43″) for nautical twilight, and 84.561° (84°33′43″) for astronomical twilight.


==On other planets==
==On other planets==
Twilight on [[Mars]] is longer than on Earth, lasting for up to two hours before sunrise or after sunset. Dust high in the atmosphere scatters light to the night side of the planet. Similar twilights are seen on Earth following major [[volcanic eruption]]s.<ref>NASA-Jet Propulsion Laboratory: [http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/spotlight/20060807.html Winter Solstice on Mars: Rovers Look Forward to A Second Martian Spring], August 07, 2006.</ref>


==In religion ==
Twilight on [[Mars]] is longer than on Earth, lasting for up to two hours before sunrise or after sunset. Dust high in the atmosphere scatters light to the night side of the planet. Similar twilights are seen on Earth following major volcanic eruptions.<ref>NASA-Jet Propulsion Laboratory: [http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/spotlight/20060807.html Winter Solstice on Mars: Rovers Look Forward to A Birtha Williams Sanford Crisanthemum Barbra Layota Martian Spring], August 07, 2006.</ref>
=== Christianity ===
[[File:BenedictineEasterVigil.jpg|thumb|upright|American [[Order of Saint Benedict|Benedictine monks]] around an [[Easter fire]] preparing to light the [[Paschal candle]] prior to Easter Vigil [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]]]]
In [[Christianity|Christian]] practice, "[[vigil]]" observances often occur during twilight on the evening before major feast days or holidays. For example, the ''[[Easter Vigil]]'' is held in the hours of darkness between sunset on [[Holy Saturday]] and sunrise on [[Easter Day]] – most commonly in the evening of Holy Saturday or midnight – and is the first celebration of Easter, days traditionally being considered to begin at sunset.{{cn|date=September 2024}}


==In Hinduism==
=== Hinduism ===
[[Hinduism]] prescribes the observance of certain practices during twilight, a period generally called {{translit|sa|sandhya}}.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Williams |first=Monier |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uqlRAAAAcAAJ&dq=Sandhya+twilight&pg=PA1061 |title=A Sanskrit-English Dictionary: Etymologically and philologically arranged with special reference to Greek, Latin, Gothic, German, Anglo-Saxon, and other cognate Indo-European Languages By Monier Williams |date=1872 |publisher=Clarendon Press |pages=1061 |language=en}}</ref> The period is also called by the poetic form of {{translit|sa|gōdhūḷi}} in [[Sanskrit]], literally 'cow dust', referring to the time cows returned from the fields after grazing, kicking up dust in the process.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Day |first=Lal Behari |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JxW6EAAAQBAJ&dq=godhuli+cowdust&pg=PA291 |title=Govinda Samanta: Vol. II |date=2023-04-18 |publisher=BoD – Books on Demand |isbn=978-3-368-82160-9 |pages=291 |language=en}}</ref> Many rituals, such as [[Sandhyavandanam]] and [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]], are performed at the twilight hour. Consuming food is not advised during this time. According to some adherents, [[asura]]s are regarded to be active during these hours. One of the [[avatar]]s of [[Vishnu]], [[Narasimha]], is closely associated with the twilight period. According to [[Hindu scriptures]], an asura king, [[Hiranyakashipu]], performed penance and obtained a boon from [[Brahma]] that he could not be killed during day or night, neither by human nor animal, neither inside his house nor outside. Vishnu appeared in a half-man half-lion form (neither human nor animal), and ended Hiranyakashipu's life at twilight (neither day nor night) while he was placed in the threshold of his house (neither inside nor outside).<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fGEXAAAAIAAJ |title=India democracy and education | author=Jossleyn Hennessy |publisher=Orient Longmans |year=1955 |chapter=ch. VII Education in the villages "Cow-dust time" |page=127 }}</ref>


=== Islam ===
Twilight is sacred in [[Hinduism]]. It is called गोधूळिवेळ in [[Marathi language|Marathi]] or गोधूलिवेला ''godhūlivelā'' in [[Hindi language|Hindi]] &mdash; literally "cow dust time". Many [[rituals]] including [[Sandhyavandanam]] and [[Puja (Hinduism)|Pooja]] are performed at twilight. Hindus believe that this time is ideal for study and education.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=fGEXAAAAIAAJ |title=India democracy and education | author=Jossleyn Hennessy |publisher=Orient Longmans |year=1955 |chapter=ch. VII Education in the villages "Cow-dust time" |page=127 }}</ref>
Twilight is important in [[Islam]] as it determines when certain [[salat|universally obligatory prayers]] are to be recited. Morning twilight is when morning prayers ([[Fajr]]) are done, while evening twilight is the time for evening prayers ([[Maghrib prayer]]). Also during Ramadhan, the time for {{translit|ar|suhoor}} (morning meal before fasting) ends at morning twilight, while fasting ends after sunset. There is also an important discussion in Islamic jurisprudence between "true dawn" and "[[Zodiacal light#Importance to Islam|false dawn]]".{{cn|date=September 2024}}


==See also==
=== Judaism ===
In Judaism, twilight is considered neither day nor night; consequently it is treated as a safeguard against encroachment upon either. It can be considered a [[wikt:liminal|liminal]] time. For example, the twilight of Friday is reckoned as [[Sabbath]] eve, and that of Saturday as Sabbath day; and the same rule applies to festival days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/14114-sun-rising-and-setting-of-the|title=SUN, RISING AND SETTING OF THE - JewishEncyclopedia.com|website=www.jewishencyclopedia.com}}</ref>


==See also==
* [[Belt of Venus]]
* [[Blue hour]]
* [[Blue hour]]
* [[BMCT]]
* [[Diffuse sky radiation]]
* [[Earth's shadow]], visible at twilight
* [[Gloom]]
* [[Gloom]]
* [[Green flash]]
* [[Green flash]]
Line 124: Line 238:
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==Bibliography==
==Footnotes==
{{notelist}}


== Further reading ==
* {{cite journal
* {{cite journal
| year = 2005
| year = 2005
| first = Nina
| first = Nina
| last = Mateshvili
| last = Mateshvili
| coauthors = Didier Fussen; Filip Vanhellemont; Christine Bingen; Erkki Kyrölä; Iuri Mateshvili; Giuli Mateshvili
|author2=Didier Fussen |author3=Filip Vanhellemont |author4=Christine Bingen |author5=Erkki Kyrölä |author6=Iuri Mateshvili |author7= Giuli Mateshvili
| title = Twilight sky brightness measurements as a useful tool for stratospheric aerosol investigations
| title = Twilight sky brightness measurements as a useful tool for stratospheric aerosol investigations
| journal = Journal of Geophysical Research
| journal = Journal of Geophysical Research
Line 137: Line 253:
| doi = 10.1029/2004JD005512
| doi = 10.1029/2004JD005512
| pages = D09209
| pages = D09209
| bibcode=2005JGRD..11009209M
}}
| doi-access = free}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
{{wikiquote}}
{{Wiktionary|twilight}}
{{Wiktionary|twilight|gloaming}}
{{commons|Twilight}}
{{commons category|Twilight}}
* [http://www.spectralcalc.com/solar_calculator/solar_position.php Twilight Calculator] Compute twilight times.
* [http://www.spectralcalc.com/solar_calculator/solar_position.php Twilight Calculator] Compute twilight times.
* [http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneYear.php Twilight time calculator] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014125056/http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneYear.php |date=2011-10-14 }}
* [http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/astronomical-applications/astronomical-information-center/rise-set-twi-defs Definition of Twilight] US Naval Observatory.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130122033117/http://www.gandraxa.com/length_of_day.xml Formulae to calculate twilight duration] (archived) by Herbert Glarner.
* [http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/astronomical-applications/data-services/rs-one-year-us Twilight time calculator]
* [http://herbert.gandraxa.com/herbert/lod.asp Formulae to calculate twilight duration] by Herbert Glarner.
* [http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/models/twilight.zip An Excel workbook] with VBA functions for twilight (dawn and dusk), sunrise, solar noon, sunset, and solar position (azimuth and elevation) by [http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/models.html Greg Pelletier], translated from [http://www.srrb.noaa.gov/highlights/sunrise/sunrise.html NOAA's online calculator for sunrise/sunset]
* [http://www.spc.noaa.gov/publications/corfidi/sunset The colors of twilight and sunset]
* [http://www.spc.noaa.gov/publications/corfidi/sunset The colors of twilight and sunset]
* [http://websurf.nao.rl.ac.uk/ HM Nautical Almanac Office websurf] Compute twilight times.
* [http://astro.ukho.gov.uk/websurf/ HM Nautical Almanac Office Websurf] Compute twilight times.
* [http://www.ga.gov.au/ Geoscience Australia "Sunrise and sunset times"] Compute twilight times.
* [http://www.ga.gov.au/geodesy/astro/sunrise.jsp Geoscience Australia "Sunrise and sunset times"] Compute twilight times.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061208171818/http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/models/twilight.zip An Excel workbook] with VBA functions for twilight (dawn and dusk), sunrise, solar noon, sunset, and solar position (azimuth and elevation) by [https://web.archive.org/web/20070525051436/http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/models.html Greg Pelletier], translated from [http://www.srrb.noaa.gov/highlights/sunrise/sunrise.html NOAA's online calculator for sunrise/sunset]
* [https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/ Time and Date] to find the current state of the sun in a specified place.
* {{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Twilight |volume=27 |page=492 |short=1}}


{{Parts of a day}}
{{Parts of a day}}
{{Portal bar|Weather|Environment|Astronomy|Stars|Geography|Earth sciences}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Earth phenomena]]
[[Category:Earth phenomena]]
[[Category:Night]]
[[Category:Dawn]]
[[Category:Parts of a day]]
[[Category:Parts of a day]]
[[Category:Visibility]]
[[Category:Visibility]]
[[Category:Night]]

[[ar:شفق]]
[[arc:ܒܗܪܐ]]
[[bg:Полумрак]]
[[bs:Sumrak]]
[[ca:Crepuscle]]
[[da:Tusmørke]]
[[de:Dämmerung]]
[[et:Hämarik]]
[[el:Λυκόφως]]
[[es:Crepúsculo]]
[[eo:Krepusko]]
[[fa:شفق]]
[[fr:Crépuscule]]
[[gl:Crepúsculo]]
[[ko:박명]]
[[hr:Sumrak]]
[[io:Krepuskulo]]
[[it:Crepuscolo]]
[[lt:Sutemos]]
[[he:דמדומים]]
[[hu:Szürkület]]
[[mk:Самрак]]
[[nl:Schemering]]
[[ja:薄明]]
[[no:Tussmørke]]
[[nn:Tussmørker]]
[[oc:Crepuscul]]
[[pl:Zmierzch (pora dnia)]]
[[pt:Crepúsculo]]
[[ro:Crepuscul]]
[[ru:Сумерки]]
[[sco:Gloamin]]
[[simple:Twilight]]
[[sk:Súmrak]]
[[sl:Somrak]]
[[sr:Сумрак]]
[[fi:Hämärä]]
[[te:సంధ్యాసమయం]]
[[th:สนธยา]]
[[tr:Alacakaranlık]]
[[uk:Зоря (заграва)]]
[[bat-smg:Sotemas]]
[[zh:曙暮光]]
'''''Italic text'''''

Latest revision as of 12:33, 12 December 2024

Twilight is the time period between dawn and sunrise, and between sunset and dusk.
Morning twilight: astronomical, nautical, and civil stages at dawn. The apparent disk of the Sun is shown to scale.[1]
Evening twilight: civil, nautical, and astronomical stages at dusk. The solar disk is shown to scale.

Twilight is sunlight illumination produced by diffuse sky radiation when the Sun is below the horizon as sunlight from the upper atmosphere is scattered in a way that illuminates both the Earth's lower atmosphere and also the Earth's surface. Twilight also is any period when this illumination occurs.

The lower the Sun is beneath the horizon, the dimmer the sky (other factors such as atmospheric conditions being equal). When the Sun reaches 18° below the horizon, the illumination emanating from the sky is nearly zero, and evening twilight becomes nighttime. When the Sun approaches re-emergence, reaching 18° below the horizon, nighttime becomes morning twilight. Owing to its distinctive quality, primarily the absence of shadows and the appearance of objects silhouetted against the lit sky, twilight has long been popular with photographers and painters, who often refer to it as the blue hour, after the French expression l'heure bleue.

By analogy with evening twilight, sometimes twilight is used metaphorically to imply that something is losing strength and approaching its end. For example, very old people may be said to be "in the twilight of their lives". The collateral adjective for twilight is crepuscular, which may be used to describe the behavior of animals that are most active during this period.

Definitions by geometry

[edit]

Twilight occurs according to the solar elevation angle θs, which is the position of the geometric center of the Sun relative to the horizon. There are three established and widely accepted subcategories of twilight: civil twilight (nearest the horizon), nautical twilight, and astronomical twilight (farthest from the horizon).[2]

Civil twilight

[edit]
Midtown Manhattan during civil twilight, demonstrating blue hour

Civil twilight is the period of time for which the geometric center of the Sun is between the horizon and 6° below the horizon.[3][4][5]


Civil twilight is the period when enough natural light remains so that artificial light in towns and cities is not needed. In the United States' military, the initialisms BMCT (begin morning civil twilight, i.e., civil dawn) and EECT (end evening civil twilight, i.e., civil dusk) are used to refer to the start of morning civil twilight and the end of evening civil twilight, respectively. Civil dawn is preceded by morning nautical twilight and civil dusk is followed by evening nautical twilight.

Civil twilight in a small town in the Mojave Desert

Under clear weather conditions, civil twilight approximates the limit at which solar illumination suffices for the human eye to clearly distinguish terrestrial objects. Enough illumination renders artificial sources unnecessary for most outdoor activities. At civil dawn and at civil dusk, sunlight clearly defines the horizon while the brightest stars and planets can appear. As observed from the Earth (see apparent magnitude), sky-gazers know Venus, the brightest planet, as the "morning star" or "evening star" because they can see it during civil twilight.[6]

Although civil dawn marks the time of the first appearance of civil twilight before sunrise, and civil dusk marks the time of the first disappearance of civil twilight after sunset, civil twilight statutes typically denote a fixed period after sunset or before sunrise (most commonly 20–30 minutes) rather than how many degrees the Sun is below the horizon. Examples include when drivers of automobiles must turn on their headlights (called lighting-up time in the UK), when hunting is restricted, or when the crime of burglary is to be treated as nighttime burglary, which carries stiffer penalties in some jurisdictions.

The period may affect when extra equipment, such as anti-collision lights, is required for aircraft to operate.[7] In the US, civil twilight for aviation is defined in Part 1.1 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs)[8] as the time listed in the American Air Almanac.[9]

Nautical twilight

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Evening nautical twilight on Lake Ontario, Canada

Nautical twilight occurs when the geometric center of the Sun is between 12° and 6° below the horizon.[10][3][5]

Long exposure of nautical twilight in a small town in the Mojave Desert

After nautical dusk and before nautical dawn, sailors cannot navigate via the horizon at sea as they cannot clearly see the horizon.[1][failed verification] At nautical dawn and nautical dusk, the human eye finds it difficult, if not impossible, to discern traces of illumination near the sunset or sunrise point of the horizon (first light after nautical dawn but before civil dawn and nightfall after civil dusk but before nautical dusk).[citation needed]

At the beginning of nautical twilight, artificial lighting must be used to see terrestrial objects clearly.

Sailors can take reliable star sightings of well-known stars, during the stage of nautical twilight when they can distinguish a visible horizon for reference (i.e. after astronomic dawn or before astronomic dusk).

Under good atmospheric conditions with the absence of other illumination, during nautical twilight, the human eye may distinguish general outlines of ground objects but cannot participate in detailed outdoor operations.[11]

Nautical twilight has military considerations as well. The initialisms BMNT (begin morning nautical twilight, i.e. nautical dawn) and EENT (end evening nautical twilight, i.e. nautical dusk) are used and considered when planning military operations. A military unit may treat BMNT and EENT with heightened security, e.g. by "standing to", for which everyone assumes a defensive position.

Astronomical twilight

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Long exposure of astronomical twilight in a small town in the Mojave Desert
Astronomical twilight (dusk) with a crescent moon, as seen from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Astronomical twilight is defined as when the geometric center of the Sun is between 18° and 12° below the horizon.[3][4][2] During astronomical twilight, the sky is dark enough to permit astronomical observation of point sources of light such as stars, except in regions with more intense skyglow due to light pollution, moonlight, auroras, and other sources of light. Some critical observations, such as of faint diffuse items such as nebulae and galaxies, may require observation beyond the limit of astronomical twilight. Theoretically, the faintest stars detectable by the naked eye (those of approximately the sixth magnitude) will become visible in the evening at astronomical dusk, and become invisible at astronomical dawn.[12]

Times of occurrence

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World map showing limiting latitudes of each type of twilight during the solstices

Between day and night

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Observers within about 48°34' of the Equator can view twilight twice each day on every date of the year between astronomical dawn, nautical dawn, or civil dawn, and sunrise as well as between sunset and civil dusk, nautical dusk, or astronomical dusk. This also occurs for most observers at higher latitudes on many dates throughout the year, except those around the summer solstice. However, at latitudes closer than 8°35' (between 81°25’ and 90°) to either Pole, the Sun cannot rise above the horizon nor sink more than 18° below it on the same day on any date, so this example of twilight cannot occur because the angular difference between solar noon and solar midnight is less than 17°10’.

Observers within 63°26' of the Equator can view twilight twice each day on every date between the month of the autumnal equinox and the month of vernal equinox between astronomical dawn, nautical dawn, or civil dawn, and sunrise as well as between sunset and civil dusk, nautical dusk, or astronomical dusk, i.e., from September 1 to March 31 of the following year in the Northern Hemisphere and from March 1 to September 30 in the Southern Hemisphere.

The nighttime/twilight boundary solar midnight's latitude varies depending on the month:

  • In January or July, astronomical dawn to sunrise or sunset to astronomical dusk occurs at latitudes less than 48°50' North or South, because then the Sun's declination is less than 23°10' from the Equator;
  • In February or August, astronomical dawn to sunrise or sunset to astronomical dusk occurs at latitudes less than 53°47' North or South, because then the Sun's declination is less than 18°13' from the Equator;
  • In March or September before the equinoxes, astronomical dawn to sunrise or sunset to astronomical dusk occurs at latitudes less than 63°26' North or South, because before the equinoxes the Sun's declination is then less than 8°34' from the Equator;
  • During the equinoxes, astronomical dawn to sunrise or sunset to astronomical dusk occurs at latitudes less than 72°00' North or South, because during the equinoxes the Sun is crossing the Equator line;
  • In March or September after the equinoxes, astronomical dawn to sunrise or sunset to astronomical dusk occurs at latitudes less than 67°45' North or South, because after the equinoxes the Sun's declination is then less than 4°15' from the Equator;
  • In April or October, astronomical dawn to sunrise or sunset to astronomical dusk occurs at latitudes less than 57°09' North or South, because the Sun's declination is then less than 14°51' from the Equator;
  • In May or November, astronomical dawn to sunrise or sunset to astronomical dusk occurs at latitudes less than 50°03' North or South, because the Sun's declination is then less than 21°57' from the Equator;

Lasting from one day to the next

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Timelapse video of twilight and sunrise in Gjøvik in February 2021

At latitudes greater than about 48°34' North or South, on dates near the summer solstice (June 21 in the Northern Hemisphere or December 21 in the Southern Hemisphere), twilight can last from sunset to sunrise, since the Sun does not sink more than 18 degrees below the horizon, so complete darkness does not occur even at solar midnight. These latitudes include many densely populated regions of the Earth, including the entire United Kingdom and other countries in northern Europe and even parts of central Europe. This also occurs in the Southern Hemisphere, but occurs on December 21. This type of twilight also occurs between one day and the next at latitudes within the polar circles shortly before and shortly after the period of midnight sun. The summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere is on June 21st, while the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere is on December 21st.

Between one night and the next

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In Arctic and Antarctic latitudes in wintertime, the polar night only rarely produces complete darkness for 24 hours each day. This can occur only at locations within about 5.5 degrees of latitude of the Pole, and there only on dates close to the winter solstice. At all other latitudes and dates, the polar night includes a daily period of twilight, when the Sun is not far below the horizon. Around winter solstice, when the solar declination changes slowly, complete darkness lasts several weeks at the Pole itself, e.g., from May 11 to July 31 at Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station.[a] North Pole has the experience of this from November 13 to January 29.

Solar noon at civil twilight during a polar night: between about 67°24' and 72°34' north or south.

Solar noon at nautical twilight during a polar night: between about 72°34' and 78°34' north or south.

Solar noon at astronomical twilight during a polar night: between about 78°34' and 84°34' north or south.

Solar noon at night during a polar night: between approximately 84°34' and exactly 90° north or south.

Lasting for 24 hours

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At latitudes greater than 81°25' North or South, as the Sun's angular elevation difference is less than 18 degrees, twilight can last for the entire 24 hours. This occurs for one day at latitudes near 8°35’ from the Pole and extends up to several weeks the further toward the Pole one goes. This happens both near the North Pole and near the South Pole. The only permanent settlement to experience this condition is Alert, Nunavut, Canada, where it occurs from February 22–26, and again from October 15–19.

Duration

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The number of daylight hours depends on the latitude and time of year. Each pole has continuous daylight near its summer solstice.
Carpet plot of sunshine at latitude 70° north
Carpet plot of sunshine at latitude 50° north
Carpet plot of sunshine at the equator
Twilight at Paranal Observatory in Chile[14]

The duration of twilight depends on the latitude and the time of the year. The apparent travel of the Sun occurs at the rate of 15 degrees per hour (360° per day), but sunrise and sunset happen typically at oblique angles to the horizon and the actual duration of any twilight period will be a function of that angle, being longer for more oblique angles. This angle of the Sun's motion with respect to the horizon changes with latitude as well as the time of year (affecting the angle of the Earth's axis with respect to the Sun).

At Greenwich, England (51.5°N), the duration of civil twilight will vary from 33 minutes to 48 minutes, depending on the time of year. At the equator, civil twilight can last as little as 24 minutes. This is true because at low latitudes the Sun's apparent movement is perpendicular to the observer's horizon. But at the poles, civil twilight can be as long as 2–3 weeks. In the Arctic and Antarctic regions, twilight (if there is any) can last for several hours. There is no astronomical twilight at the poles near the winter solstice (for about 74 days at the North Pole and about 80 days at the South Pole). As one gets closer to the Arctic and Antarctic circles, the Sun's disk moves toward the observer's horizon at a lower angle. The observer's earthly location will pass through the various twilight zones less directly, taking more time.

Within the polar circles, twenty-four-hour daylight is encountered in summer, and in regions very close to the poles, twilight can last for weeks on the winter side of the equinoxes. Outside the polar circles, where the angular distance from the polar circle is less than the angle which defines twilight (see above), twilight can continue through local midnight near the summer solstice. The precise position of the polar circles, and the regions where twilight can continue through local midnight, varies slightly from year to year with Earth's axial tilt. The lowest latitudes at which the various twilights can continue through local midnight are approximately 60.561° (60°33′43″) for civil twilight, 54.561° (54°33′43″) for nautical twilight and 48.561° (48°33′43″) for astronomical twilight.[15][16]

Lowest-latitude twilight observed at local midnight by month
Month Midnight Sun Civil Nautical Astronomical
January 66°00’36.0”S 60°50’36.0”S 54°50’36.0”S 48°50’36.0”S
February 70°57’19.5”S 65°47’19.5”S 59°47’19.5”S 53°47’19.5”S
March
(before equinox)
80°36’07.0”S 75°26’07.0”S 69°26’07.0”S 63°26’07.0”S
March
(after equinox)
84º55’53.0”N 79º45’53.0”N 73º45’53.0”N 67º45’53.0”N
April 74°19’50.5”N 69°09’50.5”N 63°09’50.5”N 57°09’50.5”N
May 67°13’25.0”N 62°03’25.0”N 56°03’25.0”N 50°03’25.0”N
June 65°43’38.6”N 60°33’38.6”N 54°33’38.6”N 48°33’38.6”N
July 66°00’36.0”N 60°50’36.0”N 54°50’36.0”N 48°50’36.0”N
August 70°57’19.5”N 65°47’19.5”N 59°47’19.5”N 53°47’19.5”N
September
(before equinox)
80°36’07.0”N 75°26’07.0”N 69°26’07.0”N 63°26’07.0”N
September
(after equinox)
84º55’53.0”S 79º45’53.0”S 73º45’53.0”S 67º45’53.0”S
October 74°19’50.5”S 69°09’50.5”S 63°09’50.5”S 57°09’50.5”S
November 67°13’25.0”S 62°03’25.0”S 56°03’25.0”S 50°03’25.0”S
December 65°43’38.6”S 60°33’38.6”S 54°33’38.6”S 48°33’38.6”S

These are the largest cities of their respective countries where the various twilights can continue through local solar midnight:

Although Helsinki, Oslo, Stockholm, Tallinn, and Saint Petersburg also enter into nautical twilight after sunset, they do have noticeably lighter skies at night during the summer solstice than other locations mentioned in their category above, because they do not go far into nautical twilight. A white night is a night with only civil twilight which lasts from sunset to sunrise.[17]

At the winter solstice within the polar circle, twilight can extend through solar noon at latitudes below 72.561° (72°33′43″) for civil twilight, 78.561° (78°33′43″) for nautical twilight, and 84.561° (84°33′43″) for astronomical twilight.

On other planets

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Twilight on Mars is longer than on Earth, lasting for up to two hours before sunrise or after sunset. Dust high in the atmosphere scatters light to the night side of the planet. Similar twilights are seen on Earth following major volcanic eruptions.[18]

In religion

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Christianity

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American Benedictine monks around an Easter fire preparing to light the Paschal candle prior to Easter Vigil Mass

In Christian practice, "vigil" observances often occur during twilight on the evening before major feast days or holidays. For example, the Easter Vigil is held in the hours of darkness between sunset on Holy Saturday and sunrise on Easter Day – most commonly in the evening of Holy Saturday or midnight – and is the first celebration of Easter, days traditionally being considered to begin at sunset.[citation needed]

Hinduism

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Hinduism prescribes the observance of certain practices during twilight, a period generally called sandhya.[19] The period is also called by the poetic form of gōdhūḷi in Sanskrit, literally 'cow dust', referring to the time cows returned from the fields after grazing, kicking up dust in the process.[20] Many rituals, such as Sandhyavandanam and puja, are performed at the twilight hour. Consuming food is not advised during this time. According to some adherents, asuras are regarded to be active during these hours. One of the avatars of Vishnu, Narasimha, is closely associated with the twilight period. According to Hindu scriptures, an asura king, Hiranyakashipu, performed penance and obtained a boon from Brahma that he could not be killed during day or night, neither by human nor animal, neither inside his house nor outside. Vishnu appeared in a half-man half-lion form (neither human nor animal), and ended Hiranyakashipu's life at twilight (neither day nor night) while he was placed in the threshold of his house (neither inside nor outside).[21]

Islam

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Twilight is important in Islam as it determines when certain universally obligatory prayers are to be recited. Morning twilight is when morning prayers (Fajr) are done, while evening twilight is the time for evening prayers (Maghrib prayer). Also during Ramadhan, the time for suhoor (morning meal before fasting) ends at morning twilight, while fasting ends after sunset. There is also an important discussion in Islamic jurisprudence between "true dawn" and "false dawn".[citation needed]

Judaism

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In Judaism, twilight is considered neither day nor night; consequently it is treated as a safeguard against encroachment upon either. It can be considered a liminal time. For example, the twilight of Friday is reckoned as Sabbath eve, and that of Saturday as Sabbath day; and the same rule applies to festival days.[22]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Van Flandern, T.; K. Pulkkinen (1980). "Low precision formulae for planetary positions". Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series. 31 (3): 391. Bibcode:1979ApJS...41..391V. doi:10.1086/190623.
  2. ^ a b "Definitions from the US Astronomical Applications Dept". USNO. Archived from the original on 2019-09-27. Retrieved 2011-07-22.
  3. ^ a b c "The American Practical Navigator" (PDF). FlaterCo. p. 227. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  4. ^ a b http://msi.nga.mil/MSISiteContent/StaticFiles/NAV_PUBS/APN/Gloss-1.pdf#9 Archived 2017-08-29 at the Wayback Machine Glossary of Marine Navigation
  5. ^ a b http://www.ast.cam.ac.uk/public/ask/2445 University of Cambridge – Institute of Astronomy – Ask an Astronomer [NB: questionable source as its sources refer back to Wikipedia]
  6. ^ "What Is Civil Twilight?". www.timeanddate.com.
  7. ^ 14 CFR 121.323
  8. ^ "Title 14: Aeronautics and Space PART 1 – Definitions". ELECTRONIC CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS. U.S. Government Publishing Office.
  9. ^ "The Air Almanac". aa.usno.navy.mil.
  10. ^ "What Is Nautical Twilight?". www.timeanddate.com.
  11. ^ "Rise, Set, and Twilight Definitions". Archived from the original on 2015-08-14. Retrieved 2007-09-06.
  12. ^ "What Is Astronomical Twilight?". timeanddate.com.
  13. ^ "Sunrise and sunset times in Saint-Petersburg". www.timeanddate.com. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
  14. ^ "Venus and the Moon strike a pose". Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  15. ^ "Length of Day and Twilight (Formulas)". www.gandraxa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
  16. ^ Herbert Glarner's website, reference 2. "Civil Twilight" "6°", "Nautical Twilight" "12°". "90° − Axis(23.439°) − 12° = 54.561°.
  17. ^ "white night". Wiktionary. 4 May 2022.
  18. ^ NASA-Jet Propulsion Laboratory: Winter Solstice on Mars: Rovers Look Forward to A Second Martian Spring, August 07, 2006.
  19. ^ Williams, Monier (1872). A Sanskrit-English Dictionary: Etymologically and philologically arranged with special reference to Greek, Latin, Gothic, German, Anglo-Saxon, and other cognate Indo-European Languages By Monier Williams. Clarendon Press. p. 1061.
  20. ^ Day, Lal Behari (2023-04-18). Govinda Samanta: Vol. II. BoD – Books on Demand. p. 291. ISBN 978-3-368-82160-9.
  21. ^ Jossleyn Hennessy (1955). "ch. VII Education in the villages "Cow-dust time"". India democracy and education. Orient Longmans. p. 127.
  22. ^ "SUN, RISING AND SETTING OF THE - JewishEncyclopedia.com". www.jewishencyclopedia.com.

Footnotes

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  1. ^ This is the range of dates when the Sun is more than 18 degrees north of the Celestial equator, so it is more than 18 degrees below the horizon as seen from the South Pole. See Position of the Sun#Declination of the Sun as seen from Earth.

Further reading

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