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Twilight

✨ Between dog and wolf

Twilight is the period when the Sun is below the horizon but its light still brightens the sky. It occurs twice each day: before sunrise and after sunset. During these intervals, sunlight passes through the atmosphere and is scattered by gases and tiny particles, so the sky does not become dark immediately when the Sun disappears.

The duration and appearance of twilight vary with latitude, the season, and the time of year. Near the equator, it generally changes relatively quickly, while at higher latitudes twilight can last much longer. In some polar regions, the Sun may remain below the horizon while twilight continues for a very long time.

Astronomers divide twilight into three stages according to how far the Sun is below the horizon. Civil twilight lasts until the Sun reaches 6 degrees below the horizon and usually provides enough natural light for many ordinary outdoor activities. Nautical twilight extends from 6 to 12 degrees and is named after navigation at sea, when the horizon can still be distinguished under suitable conditions.

Astronomical twilight extends from 12 to 18 degrees. After the Sun is more than 18 degrees below the horizon, its direct contribution to the visible sky is generally very small, and astronomical night begins. The same three stages occur in reverse order before sunrise.

💡 Did you know?

Why do people say 'between dog and wolf' to talk about twilight? In the past, people said this because the light drops so much that you can no longer distinguish a dog (a friend) from a wolf (a danger). It is the moment when shapes become blurry and our imagination can play tricks on us!

Did you know that twilight lasts longer in summer due to the Earth's position? The further North you go (like in Scandinavia), the longer twilight stretches. Sometimes it lasts so long that it almost meets the dawn of the next morning without ever becoming completely dark!

Did you know? Many animals wake up exactly at twilight. They are called 'crepuscular' animals, like some rabbits or bats. For them, it is the ideal time to go out without being seen by predators who prefer full day or deep night.