Home
Weather New York
WeatherRadar
RainRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
Career
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    Amazing sky photos: What are crepuscular rays?

09:00 AM
February 3, 2023

Amazing sky photos
What are crepuscular rays?

Crepuscular rays
Crepuscular rays seen in the United Kingdom this week. - © Elaine High

A Weather & Radar user submitted a picture of crepuscular rays shining overhead this week, they are visually stunning but do you know what they are?

It is very simple, as the sun rises or sets each day rays of light shine through the sky. At times clear pillars of light appear.

These are crepuscular rays, sometimes called God rays, and appear as sunlight shines through or over clouds catching dust and smoke particles which make the beams more visible.

In addition to this phenomena, there are also anti-crepuscular rays. These rays converge toward an anti-solar point away from the sun.

These are dimmer than their regular counterpart, and you can see them by looking in the opposite direction of the sun.

Just like crepuscular rays these are more visible at sunrise or sunset as the sun passes the horizon.

If you see either of these solar illusions, be sure to snap a shot and send it our way via the image uploader!

Weather & Radar USA editorial team
More on the topic
All about nocturnal severe weather. Risks & preparedness. . . Saturday, September 5, 2026
Saturday, September 5, 2026

Risks & preparedness

All about nocturnal severe weather
Rip currents & safety tips. As more head to the coast. . . Saturday, July 25, 2026
rip current
Saturday, July 25, 2026

As more head to the coast

Rip currents & safety tips
The best views of Wednesday's eclipse. Europe's sky show. . . Thursday, August 13, 2026
Solar eclipse: The sun obscured between wind turbines in Sardinia
Thursday, August 13, 2026

Europe's sky show

The best views of Wednesday's eclipse
All weather news
This might also interest you
Dry vegetation, low humidity and winds. The perfect fire recipe. . . Saturday, September 5, 2026
Saturday, September 5, 2026

The perfect fire recipe

Dry vegetation, low humidity and winds
Understanding the feels like temperature. Advanced heat measurement. . . Sunday, August 30, 2026
feels like temperature
Sunday, August 30, 2026

Advanced heat measurement

Understanding the feels like temperature
Southwest flood risk. Brief triple-digit break. . . Monday, August 31, 2026
Desert Southwest
Monday, August 31, 2026

Brief triple-digit break

Southwest flood risk
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

instagramfacebookthreadslinkList