The green flash

[KitingHigh]

There was a nice one yesterday I saw off Coquina beach on Anna Marie Island. I was sitting on the drawbridge waiting for the bridge to go down. For some reason the operator opened it 15 minutes before the boat was actually there. As I Watched the sun begin to set on a clear horizon, I noticed that just when the bottom touched it rose back up again a little. At this point I was pretty sure a flash would happen. Both the rising back and the flash are caused by refraction. When the bridge closed I crossed and pulled into the beach parking to watch the show and sure enough it happened. Just before the top of the sun dipped below the surface it turned a pale green and as it finally dipped a small green flash of a bit more intense color shot out and slightly up. Each of those things lasted about a half second which makes this the longest flash I've ever seen. I've seen the flash about a half dozen times now. Though most of the time it has been barely noticeable.

Anyone else seen it? Got any stories?

 

[FSUTribe76]

Yes, I even have some pics from it. I'll have to dig through and find it. If I have time tonight I will host it somewhere and put it up.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

I've never heard of that.

Then again, I grew up on the East Coast of FL. I suppose you could say we we different kinds of "flashes" over there. Like running gun battles between the Cocaine Cowboys or the convenience stores burning in Liberty City.

 

[FSUTribe76]

Actually, just found it on my Facebook page. I'll host it somewhere and post it here. I couldn't remember where I clearly saw it, but it was when I was flying from Tally to Miami. The sky was a literal rainbow as the sky went from a dark purple to deep blue to turquoise and then to complete green with the clouds and sun having the yellows, oranges and deep reds.

 

[Dr. Nole]

We watch for it when coming back in from fishing in Islamorada in the FL keys...very cool when get to see it.
Often I wonder..."did I really just see that"?

 

[DHNole]

Always thought this was just some kind of myth until last February when wife and I saw it from our veranda while on a cruise.

 

[jhcNOLE]

Would love to see any pics, if someone was able to snap anything. This subject is of considerable debate between my folks and I.

Mother has seen a few times, I haven't been so fortunate. But I, of course, cannot acknowledge existence of the Green Flash, as that would indicate defeat. I will see it!!

 

[KitingHigh]

Would love to see any pics, if someone was able to snap anything. This subject is of considerable debate between my folks and I.

Mother has seen a few times, I haven't been so fortunate. But I, of course, cannot acknowledge existence of the Green Flash, as that would indicate defeat. I will see it!!

One day I'll get a pick. There are a number of them on the web. It is a recognized thing and has a scientific explanation. Basically the atmosphere acts like a prism as it refracts the sunlight. That splits the colors and green is the last part we see aside from diffused blue.