This sunset in Playa Del Carmen blasted the sky all around us. This was the scene looking toward the East from our room. The color opposite the sunset or sunrise shows up because the atmosphere bends and scatters sunlight even after the sun has technically “set.” Rays travel over the horizon, reflecting off particles in the air, and beam back at our eyes from the opposite side.

When no clouds exist, you see the earth’s shadow band or “the Belt of Venus.” Some of my favorite sunrises and sunsets have been captured looking in the opposite direction.

Jeff Turner

See Full Bio