The Green Flash

Green Flash

Ask people about the green flash on Sanibel and they are likely to think you are referring to a restaurant by that name on Captiva Island. Or they might think it is just the stuff of legend and not a real phenomenon at all. A third possibility is that they declare they have seen it after downing several margaritas at sunset on the beach. For the few sky gazers who have actually witnessed the event, they will defend their sighting ignoring ridicule and laughter. I fall into the last category.

Take to the beach at sunset, hope for a clear horizon with calm seas and wait. I have been fortunate to observe the green flash three separate times in my life, the last two times in the past month right on the beaches of Sanibel. Each time there have been others who observed it as well, insuring it wasn't an overactive imagination on my part.

Last night was my third opportunity to witness the event and was fortunate to be with an actual astronomy professor from Canada who has been determined to capture the green flash on camera. That requires real dedication as most evenings do night produce a green flash.  If it did, it wouldn't be such an alluring event. He sets up his camera on a tripod and hopes. Some evenings the camera can capture what his eyes did not. Other evenings the opposite occurs.

Green Flash

According to the professor, the science behind the green flash involves refraction of light and inferior mirage effect. Really?  Ok, but I say, just take to the beach at sunset, and keep an eye out for the green flash. The magic is there. And if you miss it, at least you were on the beach at sunset and you might even see something like this!

Last night right before the green flash...calm and clear.

Sanibel Sunsets never disappoint.