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Twilight, Dawn, and Dusk

By Konstantin Bikos and Aparna Kher
Twilight is the time between day and night when there is light outside, but the Sun is below the
horizon.
Illustration image
Dubai skyline in twilight. The sky can take on spectacular colors during the period of twilight.
©bigstockphoto.com/bloodua
The moments when 99% of people see sunlight
Scattering Sunlight
Twilight occurs when Earth's upper atmosphere scatters and refracts sunlight which illuminates
the lower atmosphere. A number of atmospheric phenomena and colors can be seen during
twilight.
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Types of Twilight
There are three types of twilight:
Civil twilight
Nautical twilight
Astronomical twilight
Astronomers define the three stages of twilight on the basis of how far the Sun is below the
horizon.
The morning twilight is often called dawn, while the evening twilight is also known as dusk.
Astronomical terms & definitions
Illustration showing the Sun's angle below the horizon during the 3 stages of twilight.
Different degrees of twilight.
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Civil Twilight, Dawn, and Dusk

Civil twilight occurs when the Sun is less than 6 degrees below the horizon. In the morning, civil
twilight begins when the Sun is 6 degrees below the horizon and ends at sunrise. In the
evening, it begins at sunset and ends when the Sun reaches 6 degrees below the horizon.
Civil dawn is the moment when the center of the Sun is 6 degrees below the horizon in the
morning.
Civil dusk is the moment when the center of the Sun is 6 degrees below the horizon in the
evening.
Brightest Form of Twilight

Civil twilight is the brightest form of twilight. There is enough natural sunlight during this period
that artificial light may not be required to carry out outdoor activities. Only the brightest celestial
objects can be observed by the naked eye during this time.
Several countries use this definition of civil twilight to make laws related to aviation, hunting, and
the usage of headlights and street lamps.
Nautical Twilight, Dawn, and Dusk

Nautical twilight occurs when the center of the Sun is between 6 degrees and 12 degrees below
the horizon. This twilight period is less bright than civil twilight and artificial light is generally
required for outdoor activities.
Nautical dawn occurs when the Sun is 12 degrees below the horizon during the morning.
Nautical dusk occurs when the Sun is 12 degrees below the horizon in the evening.
The term, nautical twilight, dates back to the time when sailors used the stars to navigate the
seas. During this time, most stars can be easily seen with naked eyes, and the horizon is
usually also visible in clear weather conditions.
In addition to being important to navigation on the seas, nautical twilight also has military
implications. For example, the military forces of the United States use nautical twilight, as
reflected by the terms begin morning nautical twilight (BMNT) and end evening nautical twilight
(EENT), to plan tactical operations.
What is military time?
Astronomical Twilight, Dawn, and Dusk

Astronomical twilight occurs when the Sun is between 12 degrees and 18 degrees below the
horizon.
Astronomical dawn is the time when the center of the Sun is at 18 degrees below the horizon.
Astronomical dusk is the instant when the center of the Sun is at 18 degrees below the horizon.
During astronomical twilight, most celestial objects can be observed in the sky. However, the
atmosphere still scatters and refracts a small amount of sunlight, and that may make it difficult
for astronomers to view the faintest objects.
Before astronomical dawn and after astronomical dusk, it is astronomical nighttime, when no
indirect sunlight is visible and even faint celestial objects can be seen, weather permitting.
Shorter Twilight at the Equator

The length of twilight depends on the latitude. Equatorial and tropical regions have shorter
twilight than locations on higher latitudes.
During summer months at higher latitudes, there may be no distinction between astronomical
twilight after sunset and astronomical twilight before sunrise. This happens when the Sun never
goes more than 18 degrees below the horizon during the night.
Similarly, higher latitudes may experience an extended period of nautical or civil twilight.
Twilight at the Poles

Nyksund lighthouse in Norway under the Midnight Sun.
Nyksund lighthouse in Norway under the Midnight Sun.
©iStockphoto.com/elementals
Around the North Pole and the South Pole, each day-night cycle spans an entire year. In the
summer, the poles experience Polar Day or Midnight Sun, when the Sun is up in the sky for
several months; in the winter, during the Polar Night, the Sun does not rise for several months.
The transitions between Polar Day and Polar Night are marked by lengthy twilight periods. Once
the Sun has disappeared behind the horizon in the fall, it slowly sinks lower each day, resulting
in about two weeks of civil twilight, followed by nautical and astronomical twilight periods of
roughly the same length. The opposite occurs in the spring, as the Polar Night draws to a close
and the Sun begins to illuminate the atmosphere several weeks before it actually rises.
Sunrise, sunset, and twilight at the South Pole
Topics: Astronomy, Sun, Atmospheric Phenomena
Civil Twilight Today

Civil Twilight from 07 h 24-07 h 51 in the morning.
Civil Twilight from 18 h 42-19 h 08 in the evening.
Times are for Oran. Change location

Sunrise & Sunset Times
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Twilight Types
Civil Twilight
Nautical Twilight
Astronomical Twilight
Dawn
Dusk
The Golden Hour
The Blue Hour
Different Types of Twilight
Yearly Sun Graph

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Northern and Southern Lights

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can you see them?
Civil Twilight – Definition and Explanation

Civil twilight is the brightest of the twilight phases. How is it defined and when does it start and
end? What are civil dawn and civil dusk?
Astronomy Glossary - Terms & definitions

Astronomical Glossary - Terms & Definitions
What do astronomers really mean when they use those technical terms?

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Twilight, Dawn, and Dusk

The moments when 99% of people see sunlight

Advertising: Content continues below ad.

Astronomical terms & definitions

Civil Twilight, Dawn, and Dusk

Brightest Form of Twilight

Nautical Twilight, Dawn, and Dusk

What is military time?

Astronomical Twilight, Dawn, and Dusk

Shorter Twilight at the Equator

Twilight at the Poles

Sunrise, sunset, and twilight at the South Pole

Topics: Astronomy, Sun, Atmospheric Phenomena

Civil Twilight Today

Civil Twilight from 18 h 42-19 h 08 in the evening.

Times are for Oran. Change location

Yearly Sun Graph

Sun & Moon Photography

Golden Hour – When Sunlight Turns Magical

Northern and Southern Lights

Civil Twilight – Definition and Explanation

Astronomy Glossary - Terms & definitions

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