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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Twilight and Dusk?

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The terms "twilight" and "dusk" are often used to describe the period after sunset when it is not completely dark yet. However, they have specific meanings and differences:

  • Twilight refers to the period between sunset and dusk when there is still light in the sky. There are three types of twilight: civil, nautical, and astronomical, each defined by the Sun's position below the horizon. Twilight is caused by the reflection of the Sun's rays from the atmosphere.
  • Dusk is the point when the Sun is at 18 degrees below the horizon, and there is no longer any sunlight in the sky. Dusk is the darker stage of twilight.

In summary, twilight is the period between sunset and dusk with residual light in the sky, while dusk is the moment when the Sun is 18 degrees below the horizon, and darkness begins to set in.

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  • What is the Difference Between Twilight and Dusk?
  • Comparative Table: Twilight vs Dusk

    • Comparative Table: Twilight vs Dusk

    Twilight and dusk are both periods that mark the transition between day and night, but they have distinct differences. Here is a table to illustrate the differences between twilight and dusk:

    Feature Twilight Dusk
    Definition The period after sunset when the sky is still illuminated by the sun's rays, but the sun is below the horizon. The time after sunset when the sky gradually gets darker, referring to the partial darkness following sunset.
    Stages Comes in three stages: civil, nautical, and astronomical. There is no specific stage for dusk, but it occurs after twilight.
    Sun's Position When the sun is less than 18 degrees below the horizon. When the sun is more than 18 degrees below the horizon.
    Light Quality The sky is illuminated by the sun's rays, causing a soft glow. The sky gets progressively darker, making it more difficult to distinguish shapes and colors.
    Duration Varies depending on the time of year and location, but it usually lasts 70 to 100 minutes. The duration of dusk is not well-defined, as it depends on various factors such as location, time of year, and atmospheric conditions.

    Both twilight and dusk are beautiful and evocative times of the day, marking the transition between light and darkness. Twilight is a period with varying degrees of light, while dusk represents the darker stage of this transition, as the sky gets progressively darker.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.