Friday, December 19, 2008

Skywatch Friday Post: Sky of Gold





This is what Bandung's sunset looked like yesterday, painted in gold.

We've had glorious sunsets quite a few times this month, and at least twice this week. True, December is the rainy season here, but it doesn't mean that we don't have sunny days at all. It was sunny all day yesterday and was only a bit cloudy in the late afternoon. Perhaps because of this, the sunset was painted in gold.

This is what I know of the clouds and how they might have helped create this glorious illusion of light:

Clouds are formed by a process that's called condensation, a process by which gas and vapor are changed into liquid. Condensation takes place whenever warm air (which, by the way, is normally wetter because it contains more water vapor) meets with cold air. This explains why these clouds were forming - the warm sunny day evaporated a lot of water; the vapor going up then met with the cool air of the high altitude (where Bandung is located) and the cooler air from the surrounding areas.

Now, the clouds, which are virtually "a floating water container", acts like a giant mirror or reflector and prism that reflects the light of the evening sky and distorts it. Hence, the interesting colors of this sunset.

The shillouetted steel and concrete structures in the foreground of the photo, by the way, are what would be (now under construction) the new indoor tennis and badminton stadium of the Indonesia Univesity of Education (UPI).

This post is Bandung Daily Photo's participation in this week's Skywatch Friday meme. Please follow the link to see other participants photos.

14 comments:

Grammy said...

Great photo.
Have a great sky watch week.
Grammy.
Mid Missouri, USA

Unknown said...

Beautiful! Just love the composition.

melanie said...

Oooooh ! Très réussi !

Anonymous said...

Yes..
It's the most beautiful evening on December...

The Golden Sky

Jane Hards Photography said...

This is absolutely glorious. Clouds are fascinating I must admit.

Anonymous said...

Always the teacher Eki. That is a very good explanation and easy to understand. I enjoyed the bold color in your sky..Mine is very gray...

Gaelyn said...

The abstract structure contrasts sharply with that gorgeous sky. Great capture. Thanks for sharing.

Hilda said...

I think the colors also depend on the mineral content of the water vapor, but don't quote me on that. Whatever the reason, this is a glorious sunset!

Happy Sky Watching!

Judy said...

What an impressive photo! And so aptly named! The sky is indeed many shades of gold! And the sharp angles of the lampost and the construction contrast with the organic shapes of the clouds! I tried to imagine the sunset without the construction, and I felt it would have been a weaker photo.
Thanks for sharing!

J.C. said...

Beautiful gold sky! The steel structure makes the photo more beautiful!

Anonymous said...

i always love your sky picture

Jessica said...

Wow, fantastic shot. I agree with everyone else. The steel structure to contrast the beautiful colors in the sky and the of center composition make this a winner.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful black and gold. Nature gives the lessons of beauty.

Anonymous said...

I love all your pictures... Remind me the old days in Bandung.. keep up the good work