Sunsets inspire awe and wonder, casting skies ablaze with color. But what exactly is happening when the sun dips below the horizon? And why do sunsets in Reno, Nevada, seem so uniquely spectacular? In this animated explainer, Reynolds School student Khushleen Khera takes us on a colorful journey to better understand the science of sunsets.
Sources:
Corfidi, S. F. (2024, October). The science of sunsets. NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
Fiegl, A. (2013, October 29). Red sky at night: The science of sunsets. National Geographic.
Meinel, A. B., & Meinel, M. P. (1983). Sunsets, twilights, and evening skies. Cambridge University Press.
Satria, H., Syah, R., Silviana, N. A., & Syafii. (2023). Sensitivity of solar panel energy conversion at sunrise and sunset on three weather fluctuations in equatorial climate. International Journal of Electrical & Computer Engineering, 13(3), 2449–2458.
Khushleen Khera is a journalism major in the Reynolds School with an emphasis in visual communication. Her interests include art, photography, video, and design. She created this animation as part of the Motion Graphics class taught by Luka Starmer during fall 2024.
