Home / Editor's Pick /

The sky comes alive: How to spot anti-crepuscular rays

06:00
16 April 2023

The sky comes alive
How to spot anti-crepuscular rays

crepuscular rays

We've seen a few examples of crepuscular rays in recent editions of 'Your weather - Your shots' but have you heard of anti-crepuscular rays?

Crepuscular rays are pillars of sunlight appearing to converge towards the sun on the horizon or bursting out of clouds, but if you face away from them, you may get to see something even more elusive.

The next time crepuscular rays light up the horizon, turn away from them. If you do, you might get to see some faint anti-crepuscular rays converging towards an anti-solar point, opposite the sun.

If you want to see some anti-crepuscular rays yourself, here are three tips to remember:

  • Turn around and face the opposite direction to the sun
  • Look carefully – remember anti-crepuscular rays are fainter than crepuscular rays
  • They will be most visible at sunrise or sunset, as the sun passes over the horizon.

See if you can see some for yourself and send us any pictures you take. Just click the little camera in the top corner or use the uploader.

Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
Split image showing a low-tide estuary at sunset on the left with concrete blocks, boats, and pastel sky, and a bright full moon on the right glowing through thin clouds above dark tree silhouettes, divided by a curved white line.
Sunday, 7 December 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Winter weather snaps and a supermoon too
pinecones
Thursday, 11 December 2025

Winter helpers

How pine cones aid the weather forecast
Temperature map showing maximum values at the beginning of next week and wind radar showing a storm system over the Atlantic that is directing mild air towards Europe
Thursday, 4 December 2025

Gusty in the UK & Ireland

Storms will soon bring spring air
All weather news
This might also interest you
Mammatus clouds
Thursday, 21 August 2025

Unusual view

Mammatus clouds over Ireland
Split weather map showing UK wind speeds in orange-red shades up to 40 mph on the left and warning levels in green-yellow on the right, with a central wind warning sign.
Wednesday, 22 October 2025

Warnings active

Storm Benjamin impacts the UK
plit image showing a double rainbow over a rocky shoreline on the left and sheep grazing in a green field under stormy clouds on the right.
Sunday, 2 November 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Mixed conditions on an unsettled week
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList