Have you ever heard of the elusive green flash? This captivating optical phenomenon occurs as the Sun dips below the horizon, creating a brief flash of green light that is truly mesmerising to witness. While it may sound like something out of a fairytale, the green flash is a real occurrence that can be seen under the right conditions.

Development of green flash (Photo Credit : Brocken Inaglory/Wikimedia commons)
Catching a Glimpse of the Green Flash
To witness this magical event, you’ll need a clear and unobstructed view of the horizon. Cruise ships provide the perfect vantage point for spotting this rare occurrence. As the Sun sets or rises over the ocean, keep your eyes peeled for a greenish hue that appears just as the top edge of the sun disappears below the horizon. The green flash is fleeting, lasting only a few seconds, so be sure to have your camera ready to capture the moment.
Capturing the Green Flash on Camera
Photographing the green flash from a cruise ship can be challenging due to the ship’s movement and changing light conditions. To increase your chances of capturing this mesmerising sight, adjust your camera settings to a fast shutter speed and a low ISO to reduce motion blur and noise. Using a tripod can also help keep your camera steady as you wait for the green flash to appear.

The Green Flash: A Rare and Remarkable Sight
While the green flash may be a rare occurrence, it is undoubtedly worth the effort to witness and photograph this spectacular phenomenon. So, the next time you find yourself on a cruise ship at sunset, keep your eyes peeled for the green flash and get ready to capture a truly unforgettable moment.

Interesting Tidbits
Jules Verne’s 1882 novel “The Green Ray” helped popularise the green flash phenomenon.
Walt Disney Pictures’ 2007 movie “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” references the green flash as a signal that a soul had returned from the dead. is if someone sees the green flash they will never go wrong in matters of the heart.
An old weather proverb says Glimpse you ‘ere the green ray, Count the ‘morrow a fine day. Another says that if you see the green flash they will never go wrong in matters of the heart.
Remember, a green rim is present at every sunset but is too thin to be seen with the naked eye. Often, a green rim changes to a green flash and back again during the same sunset. The best time to observe a green rim is about 10 minutes before sunset or sunrise, but remember to avoid using any magnification like binoculars or a telescope to look directly at the sun without risking harm to your eyes.



Hi Donna,
To the best of your knowledge, is a Western horizon over water across water a prerequisite to view this phenomena? Do we know about any instances of it occurring across a landscape?
🙂
No not necessarily I have seen it from the catwalk of the Anglo Australian Telescope
But we have a very good western horizon from there