What causes this effect

[supernova1965]

This was taken at sunset today in the East with the sun setting in the West of course:rofl::P.

And I was wondering what this effect is called and how it is caused I adjusted the picture to show it up better as it was quite faint.:thanx:

[[1ponders]]

They look like shadows caused by clouds that are below or just on the horizon after the sun has set. I'm assuming that the shot is to the west.

[supernova1965]

No the shot is to the East

[Waxing_Gibbous]

Direction shouldn't make much difference(as long as its not North!).
As Ponders points out, clouds are the usual culprits, we get a lot of sunrises like that where we are. We get a lot of clouds, too.
Looks neat it must be said!

[Octane]

Warren,

They're called anti-crepuscular rays.

Look here at my shot taken in Queenstown: http://users.tpg.com.au/johc.html

Regards,
Humayun

[supernova1965]

Thanks for that I will google it now by the way the link comes up as a 404 error page not found:thanx:

Thanks for answering my :question:

[Octane]

Warren,

Woops, sorry.

Try http://users.tpg.com.au/octane2/johc.html

P.S. I think in your image, they are crepuscular rays (as you mentioned you were facing east; mine are anti-crepuscular rays as I was facing west).

Regards,
Humayun

[firstlight]

Humayun, they are anti-crepuscular rays, as he is indeed facing east at sunset.

Great capture Warrren. I have only witnessed anti-crepuscular rays once here in Brisbane, and I've only seen crepuscular rays (the direction of the Sun a few times).

Cheers
Tony

[Octane]

Tony,

Woops, again. I was right the first time, lol.

Regards,
Humayun

[supernova1965]

Its ok it is XMAS after all I think you probably have a good excuse for getting everything backwards and inside out:rofl:

[supernova1965]

I am trying to get my mind around this have these bands of light traveled around the globe to arrive in the east away from me or towards me. As they seem to be coming from a point on the Eastern Horizon. I am not entirely sure I have made myself clear. I am probably suffering from XMASitus as well.

[firstlight]

Warren, the rays of light are close to parallel but the illusion is caused by perspective.

The rays come from a point in the distance (From the light source) and the rays diverge as they approach the observer. After they have passed, the rays once again converge as they travel through the atmosphere toward opposition. Depending on how much junk is in the atmosphere determines how much of the rays you see... from horizon to horizon, from the Sun (mos common I think), or only after the light has passed and is continuing in the opposite direction of the Sun.

Did that make sense?

Tony

[supernova1965]

Yes thanks for the clarification it is coming clear now:D