Many hopeful San Diegans and tourists watch the sun as it sets along the shore, hoping to see the elusive phenomenon known as the green flash.
NASA has explained the phenomenon on their website. The effect of the “green flash” is caused by layers of the Earth’s atmosphere acting as a prism.
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Basically the light is broken up into individual colors, causing a green shimmer of light just as the sun sets. According to NASA, the illusion is typically only visible from places with a low, distant horizon. A green flash lasts only for a second or two.
The best places in San Diego to see a green flash are Point Loma near the Old Point Loma Lighthouse and Sunset Cliffs, though green flashes have been reported at Ocean Beach. These areas provide that low, distant horizon previously mentioned.
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Entrance fees may apply to certain areas.
