Scenic USA - Utah

Scenic USA offers a collection of select photographs from a wide variety of attractions, points of interest, historic sites, state and
national parks found throughout the United States. Each photo feature is coupled with a brief explanation.
For further detailed information, links to other related sites are provided.

Previous
Archives
Home
Next

Belt of Venus

Belt of Venus

Photo by Ben Prepelka

Looking toward the west past Aztec Butte just before sunrise in Canyonlands National Park, Utah, one sees a phenomenon called the Belt of Venus. Just before sunrise the Earth's shadow is projected onto the atmosphere as a dark blue-grey, thin band positioned just above the horizon. Above is the Belt of Venus, a pink band of scattered sunlight that shines through the atmosphere.
The name, Belt of Venus, is used simply because the planet Venus spends a great deal of its time in this area of the sky. The term, Anti-Twilight Arc is also used for this beautiful pink band, sometimes seen just before sunrise and after sunset.


 

 

    Copyright ©2006-2009 Benjamin Prepelka
    All Rights Reserved