APOD: Northern Green Flash (2012 Jun 23)

[APOD Robot]

Northern Green Flash

Explanation: As seen from Frösön island in northern Sweden the Sun did set a day after the summer solstice. From that location below the arctic circle it settled slowly behind the northern horizon. During the sunset's final minute, this remarkable sequence of 7 images follows the distorted edge of the solar disk as it just disappears against a distant tree line, capturing both a green and blue flash. Not a myth even in a land of runes, the colorful but elusive glints are caused by atmospheric refraction enhanced by long, low, sight lines and strong atmospheric temperature gradients.

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[Beyond]

ooh! What a set of pictures!

[saturno2]

Coincidentally, in the afternoon I was invited to a meeting at the branch of
a famous Sweden Home fragance.
Now, APOD described the Sun as seen from Sweden
Perfum and Sun of Sweden!!
Full beautiful

[biddie67]

Spectacular sequence of pictures!!

[sage]

Beautiful!

[aldenrw]

Huh. 'Ellusive.' I don't know that word.

[canesvenatici]

Probably "elusive" -- difficult to grasp.

Wonderful images.

[Fumblina]

As far north as Sweden is, I believe the sun would appear to set much more slowly than at, say, the equator. Does it follow therefore that the green "flash" would be longer lasting (ergo easier to see) in the far north?

[Anthony Barreiro]

As far north as Sweden is, I believe the sun would appear to set much more slowly than at, say, the equator. Does it follow therefore that the green "flash" would be longer lasting (ergo easier to see) in the far north?

Your suggestion makes sense to me: the Sun sets at a more oblique angle farther north (or south) of the equator, so the disk of the Sun would take longer to set behind the horizon, so the conditions that create the green flash would last longer.