Oatman, AZ, is located in the Mojave Desert near the California-Arizona border. The city is ~60 mi north of Kingman, AZ and ~200 mi north-northe...
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!
Oatman, AZ, is located in the Mojave Desert near the California-Arizona border. The city is ~60 mi north of Kingman, AZ and ~200 mi north-northeast of Los Angeles. The city's elevation is just over 4,000 ft. Oatman has a hot desert climate which is slightly moderated by the local mountains. The closest states and capitals are California, Arizona, and Nevada. The city's population was just over 2,000 in 2013 and according to the US Census Bureau, in 2010 there were only ~1,000 housing units. Oatman has a history dating back to the early 1800s when it was established as a train stop. The city is most well known for its Oatman Gold Rush, which occurred from 1864-1888. During the Oatman Gold Rush, miners discovered gold in the area and the city quickly became a hub for activity. Today, the city still has a small population and operates as a tourist destination. The city is notable for its historic buildings, including the Oatman Hotel, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
}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.