anticrepuscular rays over chicago, il

22 october 2023

what looks like rays of light converging over the horizon here is actually a rare optical illusion known as anticrepuscular rays. these rays form when sunlight streams through gaps in clouds behind the viewer (in this case, behind me at sunset), casting long shadows across the sky. even though the rays are parallel, they appear to meet at a single point due to perspective—just like train tracks seem to meet in the distance.

it’s not often you catch this kind of display so clearly, especially with the chicago skyline in the background.

📍 taken facing east at sunset.