Sunsets and moonrises

Though too few in number, we have experienced some spectacular sunsets. A few days ago, one particular sunset displayed for us constant changes in color and luminance. Every moment a new set of colors and shades emerged. Pinks, blues, reds, oranges. In the front of the horizon, behind us, on the side. It was one of the most colorful sunsets I have ever seen as the sky exploded with different shades rotating as would a celestial kaleidoscope.

To get a good sunset, the sky needs to have interesting shapes and a reasonable amount of water vapor or other gases. We had it that evening. As Jim Carrey said in The Mask to Cameron Diaz while sitting in Landfill Park, “It’s really beautiful right around sunset. The methane emissions really pick up the colors. All those pinks and greens.”

Ironically upwind from us the Everglades is a major source of methane, as is any wetland that has a large amount of organic matter. It would be interesting to see if the northerly winds we have been getting are bringing us the natural pollution we need to have such great sunsets.

Regardless of the scientific reasons, sunsets are something we as a culture have rallied around. In southern Florida, the sunset at Key West is very popular, particularly in Mallory Square where a street (or square) fair is held every evening as the sun goes down. We are watching all the sunsets diligently but have yet to see the famous green flash.

I actually think our view is a little nicer as at Mallory Square the sun sinks into the water whereas at our little complex we have tiny jetties, islands, palm trees, etc. to give the last rays of light a bit more texture and interest. It is also much easier to saunter down 100 yards from our cottage with a beer and peanuts in hand than to drive the 80-plus miles to the end of the Keys.

Moonrises don’t get the same kind of attention that sunsets receive, which is unfair. A good moonrise is much more infrequent that a good sunset. The sun sets every day; a full moon rises only a few days each month giving the sun a 10 to 1 advantage in frequency. This lack of frequency is compounded by weather: You need a really clear sky to get a good moonrise.

My wife and I decided to take a chance one evening and sat at a local bar waiting for the moon to emerge from the water like a giant orb being born. Just when we were about to give up hope, a dull orange semicircle began to emerge from the sea quickly growing in size and brightness. My wife said it changed color from a very pale pink through orange and then to the full spectrum of white but much of that was lost on me in my color blind state. Regardless its change in color and size seemed remarkable as it undulated between small and large to my eye. Apparently this is an optical illusion that reaches its height during the solstice moon.

We scrambled down to the edge of the water to better see the moon emerging from and reflecting upon the water. The sun just went down and the moon replaced it as nature’s nightlight. It may have not been as colorful as the sunset we recently experienced, but it was remarkable none the less. Anyway we needed that nightlight as we were bicycling back to our cottage and didn’t bring a flashlight. It was dark, but it didn’t matter as lovely Luna lit our way home.