Red and green flashes over Lichnice
In this view, captured on 3rd July 2018, the Sun sets over the old
Lichnice castle-ruins when viewed from the Seč city. While it slowly gets over the horizon, the Earth’s atmosphere makes the story even more interesting. Very good climatic conditions allowed to capture several appearances of so-called
green flash and also its “counterpol”, the red flash (on the left top). In the right top box, you can also notice fast change on the edge of the Sun, with prominent structure of the green part of the sunlight. Green flashes are enhanced by mirage, which increases atmospheric
refraction. A green flash is more likely to be seen in stable, clear air, when more of the light from the setting sun reaches the observer without being scattered. One might expect to see a blue flash, since blue light is refracted most of all, and the blue component of the sun’s light is therefore the very last to disappear below the horizon, but the blue is preferentially scattered out of the line of sight, and the remaining light ends up appearing green. As the green appears on the upper edge of the bright object (in this case the Sun) as the last visible color, the red one appears first in the bottom part of the object.
Green flash over Lichnice
UNESCO’s Lichnice was constructed as in the first half of the 13th century. It was first mentioned in 1261, when it was in possession of Smil of Ronow, who called himself Smil of Lichtenburg and thereby created the von Lichtenburg family. At the end of 16th century, it lost its importance and got abandoned then. From the beginning of 17th century was described as ruins. Nowdays, it is opened for wide public after reconstruction, offering wonderful view in the Iron Mountains from brand new lookout tower or rich cultural program, especially in summer. Used Canon 6D, MTO-1000 AW (f10.5/1100), ISO 100, 1/200s exposures from tripod.
