Once this phase has ended, nighttime officially starts.ĭuring this phase, only a small amount of light pollution present can be observed near the horizon. The last/final phase starts when the sun reaches 12-degree beneath the horizon (end of Nautical twilight) and will end once the sun is 18-degree beneath the horizon. Thus, it is advised to stay clear of the horizon during this phase if want to stargaze during this time period. However, during this phase, it is harder for astronomers to distinguish colors properly. Along with star constellations, you can even observe some celestial objects of higher magnitude during this particular phase. You can determine this phase by noticing the color of the sky during this time the sky has a dark blue shade. The end of the phase will come when it will reach around 12-degree beneath the horizon.Įven though it gets quite dark during this phase, it is still not pitch-black dark that are common during nighttime. So, this phase will start once the sun reaches 6-degree beneath the horizon. This is the second phase which starts after civil twilight ends. However, as still, light pollution is there in the sky, it is not possible to observe more than this. This is the first phase and it starts when the sun first goes beneath the horizon and ends when it happens to reach around 6-degree beneath the horizon.Ĭivil Twilight is the perfect time to track or view Mercury and Venus as it is possible to see bright objects during this phase. Now let’s talk about these three phases: Civil Twilight Hence, here it is crucial to mention that having a proper understanding of twilight next will definitely help you to know when it will be just dark enough in your region to enjoy what the night sky has to offer.Įven though you can stargaze during these three phases, yet it is impossible to get the same result as you get while stargazing during nighttime. So, it is safe to say sunset is different from twilight. When you are observing a sunset, atmospheric refraction, near the horizon, will distort the sunlight/sun rays in such a manner that the solar disk geometrically will be around one diameter below the horizon. In astronomy, sunset time can be explained as the moment when the Sun (upper limb) vanishes below the horizon. 3.2 Earth’s Tilt and The Different Seasonsīefore we dive into this, firstly you need to know what do you mean by sunset time.3.1 Distance From The Equator and Latitudes.3 Does It Get Dark Before Or After Sunset?.2 How Long Does It Take To Get Dark After Sunset?.But the fact that it is a complicated topic cannot be denied.Īnd for this reason, everything that you need to know has been mentioned next for you: To some, the answer to this question may not seem to be overly complex. Thankfully, there are many online websites and apps available currently which will help you get a more accurate time.Ī combination of your insight/experience will also aid you. Distance from the Equator, the Earth’s tilt and the different seasons all have an impact and prevent a definitive time for everyone. Equally, several other factors influence the onset of darkness after sunset. However, the time it takes differs across the continents on earth. So how long after sunset does it get dark? It typically takes between 60-100 minutes to get dark after sunset.
![time until sunset time until sunset](http://thecinemaarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/julie-delpy-before-sunset.jpg)
![time until sunset time until sunset](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gWdkJCV7eFw/maxresdefault.jpg)
![time until sunset time until sunset](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/d1/1e/b7/d11eb77605514c13b33d3ef1dc1dd49c.jpg)
![time until sunset time until sunset](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VZtTuxqg2QI/maxresdefault.jpg)
So, I spent some time researching and analyzing my experiences. The sun goes down, but when will it be dark? As an avid astronomer, this is one such question that I simply need to know the answer to.