…clouds are illuminated from beyond the horizon, and below. Altocumulus Castellanus are mid-level clouds and have very intricate details, which are highlighted during sunset. A three second interval was used to show the progress of the colors shifting in the all-sky scene which is particularly majestic; these moderately dense clouds are named after the castle tops that sprout from streaking plumes. Time-lapse length (30 fps): 10 seconds and 13 frames.
…mid-level clouds at sunrise. UAS hovering at altitude at dawn. Altocumulus Castellanus are ideal clouds for creating light rays that persist. First, their presence in the sky indicates moisture at the medium levels. As droplets glow in the sunlight, areas of thicker cloud create the shade necessary for the ‘light ray’ to show with definition. Since Castellanus clouds have these small patches of thick density, stark sunbeams are cast toward the camera’s general point of view. Time-lapse length (30 fps): 10:25.
…under cirrus, cirro-cumulus after sunset, flowing high elevation clouds. At these elevations, clouds are formed with tiny frozen crystals. As the movement is demonstrated in the one most aesthetically pleasing cloud, there is a flowing that is unique to the temperature of the cloud, highlighted with beautiful pinks. Sunsets like these where the sky illuminates clouds ‘from below’ prove the Earth is a sphere and not flat. The sunlight would be abruptly blocked by a sudden end to the Earth’s crust if it ended somewhere in the ocean. Instead, the light goes through more and more atmosphere the higher it reaches into the sky, until the sun sets from the cloud’s perspective as well. Time-lapse length (30 fps): 10 seconds and 25 frames.
…flowing below at sunset with traffic. Mid-level stratus clouds are present while facing east. The continuation of another clip. Time-lapse length (30 fps): 12 seconds.
…over ocean time-lapse. Intricate and delicate, the underside of these clouds are illuminated minutes after the sun has set to the observer. How is this? The sun is below the horizon to the observer, but not to the sky above. At that moment, you would still see the sun if in an airplane at that height. You would be in its light, as are these clouds. Since these clouds are attached to a storm, their altitude could in fact be 30,000 ft or more. This would make sense, due to the low movement of the delicate parts of the cloud, which would have frozen droplets. Some lower clouds that make up lower thunderstorm bodies have a mix of frozen droplets, gaseous vapor, and liquid.
On a sliver of ocean with distant palm trees silhouetted far away, another younger storm is at the right of the lower frame portion. Blue sky persists in an area that homes other colorful clouds at higher altitudes of 45000 feet, or about 15000 m. The sun sets and the ‘mammatus’ clouds from the storm redden. Time-lapse length (30 fps): 25 seconds and 10 frames.
In the distance over Lake Tahoe, a fog bank is rolling. In the sky, clouds and crisscrossing contrails are illuminated around 40,000 ft in the morning sun, when colors change fastest (with the exception of dusk). The chardonnay yellows of the horizon and bluish-purple of the deep sky this dawn are on display. Time-lapse length (30 fps): 7 seconds and 11 frames.
…fading as clouds move sideward. The continuation of another clip. The exposure settings have been adjusted. Time-lapse length (30 fps): 6 seconds and 19 frames.