Sunsets never fail to captivate us with their stunning hues of reds, oranges, and yellows. Whether we’re commuting, on vacation, or just catching a glimpse through the window, these breathtaking moments leave us in awe. Recent research shows that sunsets are considered the most beautiful transient weather phenomena of the day.
A study conducted by two British researchers found that people are most captivated by sunrises and sunsets, even more so than storms, rainbows, clear skies, or nightscapes. Some participants were willing to pay up to £100 to witness such landscapes during dawn or dusk. While spending time under clear skies has been shown to improve mental health, this new research suggests that admiring a sunrise or sunset might provide an additional emotional boost. This effect extends to sunsets depicted in paintings or screensavers as well.
According to Smalley, a doctoral candidate at the University of Exeter, the awe-inspiring nature of sunsets can make our problems feel smaller, reducing our concerns. But what makes sunrises and sunsets so vivid, and can we predict them?
Sunsets and sunrises owe their beauty to angles and atmospheric conditions. The sun’s position during these times causes sunlight to take a longer path through the atmosphere, interacting with more air molecules. Shorter wavelengths, like blues and purples, are scattered, while longer wavelengths, like oranges and reds, pass more freely to the ground, creating the iconic colors we associate with sunrises and sunsets.
The best time to witness these natural spectacles is during late fall and winter when the air is cleaner. Desert environments, with less humidity, also produce brilliant sunrises and sunsets. High-altitude clouds can further enhance the colors by reflecting sunlight to the ground before it’s filtered by the atmosphere.
Predicting a vivid sunset, however, is not an exact science, and it may never be due to a lack of data and the complexities of atmospheric conditions. But Smalley’s research suggests that even experiencing sunsets through digital stimuli can evoke positive emotions and cognitive benefits similar to those experienced in nature.
