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Celestial polarization patterns during twilight.

Thomas W Cronin1, Eric J Warrant, Birgit Greiner

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA. cronin@umbc.edu

Applied Optics
|July 21, 2006
PubMed
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During twilight, a wide band of polarized sunlight appears in the sky, perpendicular to the hidden Sun. This celestial polarization pattern, with up to 80% polarization, is observable for about an hour before sunrise and after sunset.

Area of Science:

  • Atmospheric optics
  • Polarized light phenomena

Background:

  • Sunlight scattering creates polarized light patterns in the sky.
  • Similar patterns are observed at night with a bright Moon.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate celestial polarization patterns during twilight.
  • Determine the degree and orientation of polarized light.
  • Analyze changes before sunrise and after sunset.

Main Methods:

  • Studied polarized light fields during twilight.
  • Measured polarization degree and orientation.
  • Observed changes in polarization patterns.

Main Results:

  • A wide band of polarized light occurs during twilight, perpendicular to the hidden Sun.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Typical polarization degrees reach 80% at wavelengths >600 nm.
  • In the tropics, this pattern appears ~1 hour before sunrise and disappears ~1 hour after sunset.

    • Conclusions:

    • Celestial polarization is a significant phenomenon during twilight.
    • The observed pattern is consistent throughout the twilight period.
    • The findings contribute to understanding atmospheric light polarization.