Seasons and sky
Alpenglow
Direct answer
Alpenglow is a reddish or pink illumination seen on mountains near sunrise or sunset, produced by low-angle direct or scattered sunlight depending on usage.
Alpenglow is warm twilight illumination on elevated terrain.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Seasons & Earth Almanac
- Related
- Belt of Venus, Tidal Range, Astronomical Season, Equinox
Alpenglow is warm twilight illumination on elevated terrain.
A Sun-Earth orientation for seasonal, atmospheric, tidal, and terrestrial terms.
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The story behind Alpenglow
The term grew from Alpine observation and expanded into broader landscape and photographic vocabulary.
Why Alpenglow matters
Alpenglow connects terrain, atmospheric clarity, shadows, and the long optical path of low sunlight.
Alpenglow in practice: an example
Snow peaks can glow pink while the valley below has already entered shadow.
Where readings of Alpenglow go wrong
Definitions differ on whether true alpenglow requires the Sun below the horizon; state the observed geometry.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- National Weather Service: Atmospheric Optics - NWS science reference for halos, pillars, sundogs, green flashes, rays, and related optical displays.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Seasons & Earth Almanac
- Last updated
- 2026-09-26
Read the mountain-light geometry
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Common questions
What is alpenglow?
Alpenglow is a reddish or pink illumination seen on mountains near sunrise or sunset, produced by low-angle direct or scattered sunlight depending on usage.
What do people get wrong about alpenglow?
Definitions differ on whether true alpenglow requires the Sun below the horizon; state the observed geometry.
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