The city is home to the West Virginia University (WVU) campus, which is one of the largest and most comprehensive campuses in the state. WVU has...
Sunset
Twilight
Darkness
Most people know that sunset is the time when the sun goes down. But did you know that the sun doesn't actually set? Instead, Earth rotates into darkness, giving us the illusion that the sun is setting. So what causes sunset?
Well, it's a combination of things. The Earth's atmosphere scatters sunlight in every direction, but blue and violet light are scattered more than other colors. This is why the sky is usually blue during the daytime. As the sun gets lower in the sky, the atmosphere becomes thicker and more dense.
This scattering of sunlight happens to a greater extent, and we see red and orange light more than blue and violet light. That's why sunset is usually a beautiful red or orange color. So next time you see sunset, remember that you're actually seeing Earth rotate into darkness!
, population, economic activity, and many other interesting facts
Martinsburg, West Virginia, is located in the Mountain State, about 85 miles (136 kilometers) east of the state capital, Charleston. Named for General James Martin, who played an important role in the Mexican-American War, Martinsburg is also the county seat of Berkeley County. The city has a population of about 29,000.
Located at the convergence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, Martinsburg is situated in a geographic area referred to as the "Mountain Empire." Elevations within the city range from 2,640 feet (807 meters) above sea level in the eastern areas to 4,610 feet (1422 meters) in the northwest. The city's climate is temperate with cool winters and hot, humid summers.
Martinsburg enjoys a humid subtropical climate, with temperatures averaging in the low to mid-50s Fahrenheit (10 to 13 Celsius) throughout the year. The city is famous for its spring snowfalls, which can bring up to a foot (30 centimeters) of snow.
West Virginia, the Mountain State, is the closest state, about 85 miles (136 kilometers) to the north. The state capital, Charleston, is about 120 miles (190 kilometers) to the south.
As of the census of 2010, there were 29,481 people residing in the city. The population density was 1,978.8 people per square mile (772.5/km²). There were 11,268 housing units at an average density of 674.5 per square mile (260.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.8 percent White, 23.1 percent African American, 0.2 percent Native American, 2.3 percent Asian, 0.1 percent Pacific Islander, 1.7 percent from other races, and 2.3 percent from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.2 percent of the population.
Manufacturing and provision of transportation equipment are the two most important economic activities in Martinsburg. Other major employers include education/health services, with nearly 10,000 employees, and retail trade. The city's average annual wage is $37,000.
Martinsburg is a stronghold for the Democratic Party, and has been since the city's incorporation in 1855. The mayor is Democrat David A. Clarke, and the city's five-member city council is all Democrat.
The city is home to the West Virginia University (WVU) campus, which is one of the largest and most comprehensive campuses in the state. WVU has a total enrollment of more than 31,000 students.
}As the sun sets, the sky slowly grows dark. For many people, this is a time to relax and wind down for the day. But have you ever wondered exactly when it gets dark? The answer may surprise you.
Did you know that darkness actually begins long before the sun sets? As the sun gets lower in the sky, its light has to travel through more atmosphere. This filters out some of the blue light, making the sun look redder. At the same time, shadows get longer and darker. So by the time the sun finally dips below the horizon, darkness has already begun to fall.
Of course, not all places on Earth experience darkness at the same time. Near the equator, the sun sets and rises almost directly overhead. This means that there is less of a difference between daytime and nighttime. Closer to the poles, however, the sun stays low in the sky for much of the year. This leads to longer periods of darkness during wintertime.