The green flash on Tenerife is often visible during Tenerife’s crystal-clear sunsets, surrounded by mystique and romance. A magical phenomenon.
In some cultures, it is said that whoever sees the green flash gains access to the thoughts of their beloved.
Fascinating and evocative effect
Anyone staying on Tenerife or one of the Canary Islands knows that the sunsets there are spectacularly beautiful and moving. As the sun nearly disappears below the horizon, under optimal conditions, something special occurs. During calm weather, particularly when atmospheric turbulence is minimal, and from an elevated vantage point, you may witness a green flash, also known as the green ray.
In recent weeks, the green flash phenomenon has been frequently observed on the Canary horizon. It is a fascinating and evocative effect that always draws attention when it appears during a sunset.
Green Spot
A green flash or green ray is an atmospheric optical phenomenon that occurs shortly after sunset or just before sunrise, appearing as a green dot. Typically lasting about two seconds, this green spot can be seen just above the sun. Observing it requires a clear horizon and an unobstructed view of the sunset. It can also be aided by the use of optical tools, such as binoculars or a camera with a telephoto lens. The phenomenon does not always occur; it is usually noticed when the horizon is free of mist and clouds.
Explanation
The cause of a green flash lies in the refraction of light as it passes through the atmosphere. Light travels more slowly in lower, denser air than in higher, thinner air, causing sunlight to follow a slightly curved path parallel to the curvature of the Earth. High-frequency light (green/blue) bends more than low-frequency light (red/orange), making the green and blue rays visible longer, while the red rays are obscured by the horizon.
Green flashes are enhanced by the mirage effect, which increases the atmospheric density gradient, thereby amplifying refraction. The green flash is only visible in clean air, where more light can reach the observer without being scattered. A potential blue flash is not seen because blue light is more scattered in the air, leaving only green light visible.
Jules Verne
The green flash or green ray gained popularity through Jules Verne’s 1882 novel The Green Ray, in which the color is described as green that “no artist could ever reproduce on their palette.” Verne further writes: “A green unlike any shade of vegetation, or the green of the most beautiful seas. If there is green in paradise, it must surely be this shade, which is undoubtedly the true green of hope!”
Quick and Attentive Observation
This natural phenomenon occurs through the dispersion of white light, similar to how light passes through a prism or refracts through raindrops to create a rainbow. During sunset or sunrise, the different layers of air fragment sunlight, revealing a spectrum of yellow, orange, and reddish colors. Blue and green are also present, but it is rare to have stable conditions and the necessary timeframe to observe them.
When the air is calm, the captivating horizontal green flash appears. Visible for just a few seconds, it requires quick and attentive observation.
Tenerife is home to many other remarkable natural and meteorological phenomena.
Santi Fernández © Photography
Green Flash on Tenerife ©
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