24-03-2025
This is the rarest kind of sunset you can see. Here's how to spot them in Arizona
We all know sunsets are prettier in Arizona.
If you happen to be out and about on a day when the sunset is especially vivid, the sight may stop you in your tracks. The striking hues of warm reds and oranges bathe the environment — be it the sprawling city, rocky mountains or sandy desert washes — in a magical light.
But did you know, some sunsets are rarer than others? The science of sunsets explains why.
Here's what to know about the rarest sunsets, how they form and the best places to spot them around the Sunset State, as Arizona is sometimes called.
The rarest type of sunset is one with violet or indigo colors.
To understand why thought, you have to know a little bit about the science of sunsets.
The bright evening colors come when small particles in the atmosphere cause light to scatter, explained Steven Ackerman, professor of meteorology at University of Wisconsin–Madison, in an online article.
As the light scatters, the color of the light is affected by the size of the particle and the wavelength of light. Blue and violet are scattered by air molecules more than other colors. During sunset, the sun's position on the horizon means there is more opportunity for the light to scatter. This means that the violet and blue light is most affected.
'If the path is long enough, all of the blue and violet light scatters out of your line of sight," Ackerman said. "The other colors continue on their way to your eyes. This is why sunsets are often '
This explains why Arizona, which already has prime conditions for vivid sunsets, tend to be yellow, orange, and red, though it is not entirely uncommon to see sunsets with pink and purple shades.
Arizona city the sunniest in the world: Hint: it's not in metro Phoenix
The time of sunset varies by the time of year. Here are the most common sunset times by month, according to
January: 5:31 to 5:59 p.m.
February: 6 to 6:24 p.m.
March: 6:25 to 6:48 p.m.
April: 6:49 to 7:10 p.m.
May: 7:11 to 7:32 p.m.
June: 7:33 to 7:42 p.m.
July: 7:28 to 7:42 p.m.
August: 6:54 to 7:27 p.m.
September: 6:13 to 6:52 p.m.
October: 5:36 to 6:11 p.m.
November: 5:20 to 5:35 p.m.
December: 5:20 to 5:31 p.m.
Metro Phoenix, which was rated a top spot to see the sunset by Fodor's Travel, has many great places to sit back and enjoy the view. Here are a few popular spots:
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch in Gilbert: This hidden gem in the East Valley is an oasis and a birding hotspot. Throw in a beautiful sunset, and you're sure to have an unforgettable experience.
Lost Dutchman State Park: The Arizona State Parks says that one of the more popular sunset viewing spots is Lost Dutchman State Park in the Superstition Mountains near Apache Junction.
San Tan Mountain Regional Park: The San Tan Mountains are another excellent sunset viewing location, especially for those in the southeast Valley. Try a short hike, bring a picnic or go biking while you wait for the sun to dip.
Papago Park: Hole in the Rock has long been a popular sunset spot, but there are more scattered throughout the park. You can't beat watching the sun descend behind the downtown Phoenix skyline. You can even watch it from the Desert Botanical Garden, which is inside the park.
South Mountain: Even if you aren't looking to take a hike, you can always drive up to Dobbins Point for a stunning sunset view. The lookout point offers a 360-degree view of metro Phoenix.
Tempe Town Lake: If you want to see the sunset over the water, try stopping by Tempe Town Lake for a different kind of sunset view. You can enjoy the sunset's reflection on the water from the pedestrian bridge or even rent a boat for an extra calm experience.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: This is the rarest kind of sunset. Here's how to spot it in Arizona
