Shadows after Sunset

Abstract

IN reference to Mr. Douglas Archibald's letter, I may say that in 1873 I made three drawings of the “Sheaf rays” at the Isle of Wight. In these they are marked as “converging in the east,” but the point is apparently below the visible horizon. Shortly after I had, however, the opportunity of seeing the true convergence, as we were crossing the Peasemarsh, a large common near here. It was after rain, and there appeared a very bright spot in the east opposite the true sun, which to the best of my recollection was setting and not set, for I momentarily took the appearance to be some form of reflection of the sun itself. The rays were quite strong in the east and west, and though fainter could be distinctly traced across the sky. I believe that there were no clouds and that the ray intervals were equidistant, though I will not be certain on this point. I notice that one of my drawings also shows this peculiarity, though I confesss my impression has been hitherto that these rays were due to the interference of clouds.