We snapped this sunset at our campground outside Selma, Ala.

The Colors of the Setting Sun

• The color of a sunset comes from light rays bent by the earth's atmosphere.

• Elevated levels of pollutants in the air can cause sunsets to be more brilliant as the light bounces off the particles.

Showtimes Every Day

• You can find the times for your local sunset on the internet. See the contact info below.

• The sun is officially set when the last sliver of the sun's orb disappears below the horizon.

• If you're watching the sunset over the ocean, watch for a tiny flash of green light. This flash is what sailors consider the official sundown for navigational purposes.

• Twilight is the time after the sunset when there is still ample light in the sky. The official time for the end of twilight can also be found on the internet.

Special Places to See the Sun Set

• Key West, Florida, holds a Sunset Celebration every day of the year. The celebration includes street performers, music, food, drinks and souvenir vendors and is a great way to finish out the day in Key West.

• In Venice Beach, California, large groups gather every Sunday afternoon to form a huge drum circle. Listening to the drums while watching the Southern California sunset is a great way to experience Venice Beach.

Capture the Moment

• When photographing sunsets, include foreground elements to give the photo more interest.

• Try taking photos of sunsets at several different exposures, i.e. one stop above where you think the exposure should be, one step below, and one shot at your choice F-stop.

• When using a point-and-shoot camera, you can fool the camera into using a different F-stop by changing the ASA setting.

Contact Information

To find your local sunset times:
aa.usno.navy.mil/data