Why Was Yesterday's Sunlight Brighter Than This Morning?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the perceived difference in sunlight brightness between two mornings in the San Francisco Bay Area, specifically on July 13, 2016. Participants noted that the brightness could be influenced by atmospheric conditions, such as the presence of aerosols, smog, or fog. One user mentioned the importance of using a light meter for accurate measurement, while another referenced the Desktop Spectrometry Kit 3.0 from Public Lab as a potential tool for analysis. The color temperature of sunlight was observed to change around 11:50 AM PDT, indicating a shift in atmospheric conditions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of atmospheric science concepts, particularly aerosols and their effects on light.
  • Familiarity with color temperature and its measurement in photography or lighting.
  • Knowledge of light measurement tools, specifically light meters and spectrometry kits.
  • Basic meteorological knowledge, including cloud cover effects on sunlight.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the impact of aerosols on sunlight and atmospheric optics.
  • Learn how to use the Desktop Spectrometry Kit 3.0 from Public Lab for light analysis.
  • Study the principles of color temperature and its relevance in different lighting conditions.
  • Investigate the effects of cloud cover on sunlight intensity and quality.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for atmospheric scientists, photographers, and anyone interested in understanding the effects of environmental conditions on sunlight perception and measurement.

Alan Arqueza
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Yesterday morning the lighting from the sunlight made everything brighter until 11:50am Pacific Daylight time. I am in the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California. Can you explain why sunlight on 13 July 2016 appears to be 'brighter' than this morning?
 
Earth sciences news on Phys.org
Alan Arqueza said:
Yesterday morning the lighting from the sunlight made everything brighter until 11:50am Pacific Daylight time. I am in the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California. Can you explain why sunlight on 13 July 2016 appears to be 'brighter' than this morning?

This is vague. Did you actually measure this brightness, or are you just relying on what you see with your eyes? The latter is not terribly reliable, because it depends many circumstances (i.e. did you just walk out of a darker area when you went outside?).

Zz.
 
I was looking out the window this morning and noticed how the brightness was not the same compared to yesterday. Yesterday morning I was looking out the window from the same room. I did not use a light meter to measure the lighting.
 
The color temperature changed around 11:00 am - 11:50 am Pacific Daylight Time. I noticed the color temperature or hue changed around 11:50am PDT. I should have written the time.
 
If there was a real difference and not just your eye's unreliable perception, it could probably be described by the varying amounts of aerosols in the atmosphere smog, fog, etc etcrelying just on your eyes like that would be very unreliable
 
According to weatherunderground.com, at 11 this morning it was partly cloudy and 11 yesterday morning it was clear.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: DaveC426913
I will use the Desktop Spectrometry Kit 3.0 from Public Lab. This spectrometry kit may not be sensitive enough.
 
Well, interesting
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
5K
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
19K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
5K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
9K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 78 ·
3
Replies
78
Views
13K
  • · Replies 65 ·
3
Replies
65
Views
11K