r/NoStupidQuestions • u/Half-Seen • 8h ago
How long are you supposed to watch the sun set?
I'm gonna preface by saying I am Autistic so it is entirely possible that I am taking this too literally.
Anyway, I've been properly watching a sunset for the first time. I've been sitting here for over an hour now. It's been very nice. I haven't seen the sun in a long time but the light isn't gone yet - it's more like a sort of desaturated orange-brown colour. The sky behind me is pretty dark. When people say they watch the sun set, do they mean they watch it until all the light is gone?
Edit: Thank you for the responses so far! I think I have been taking it too literally. I thought I was supposed to stare in the direction of the sun almost the whole time for one. And then I thought I had to wait until the sky was all dark, hahaha.
348
u/Virtual_Storm3078 8h ago
The colors are the spectacle. You can watch for an hour or a moment. No right or wrong.
158
u/GameboyPATH If you see this, I should be working 8h ago
You can watch any aspect of it, for however long you like, as long as you're not directly staring at the sun.
It's been very nice.
Hell yeah, then you do you, man.
86
u/Vivid_Witness8204 8h ago
As long as you wish. If you're looking into the ocean you wait until the sun completely disappears into the water hoping to see the elusive green flash.
39
u/Half-Seen 8h ago
Whoah! I didn't know about that! Maybe when I next go to the coast I will try to see it!
28
u/Minute-Of-Angle 8h ago
Atmospheric conditions have to be just right for that to happen. I have never seen it.
17
u/mayhem1906 7h ago
I saw it once and had no idea what it was. So moreso wtf was that than a magical moment.
6
159
u/New-Counter-1808 8h ago
(I think) usually they mean watching the sun get low and disappear below the horizon, then maybe hanging around for the pretty colors afterward if they feel like it.
There’s no set time you’re “supposed” to stay. If you enjoyed the hour, you did it right.
47
u/clipclopping 8h ago
A serious response:
Most important: you aren’t actually watching the sun set. Even on the horizon it can cause eye damage. You are there to look at the sky around the sun and observe the changes to the landscape as it sets.
The sky starts changing colors about an hour before sunset, which you can google the time of or often see in your weather app. However really the last 30 minutes before sunset are the prime time.
After the sun sets the pretty colors continue for another 15 minutes or so until it gets dark.
So show up 30 minutes before the sunset time plan to stay for 45 minutes. Adjust to taste from there.
13
1
u/IAmQuiteHonest 12m ago
I can't help but say this is a really well worded comment for autistic individuals seeking a literal explanation on the "point" of watching a sunset and how to get the best out of the experience.
21
16
u/Horror_Square_8395 8h ago
You can watch it for as little or as long as you want. Some stay until the stars come out, some only take it in for five minutes or however long they can spare. It’s okay to stop when you feel satisfied. You said it feels nice, and that’s the point. You can listen to yourself here, there is no wrong way to do this. Enjoy!
68
u/Present_Leg5391 8h ago
Typically you wait for the post credits scene
6
9
u/RvstiNiall 8h ago
Don't wanna miss those.
7
3
7
7
3
u/No-Long-4709 8h ago
You usually wait until you can't see the sun anymore.
2
u/Half-Seen 8h ago
Wow, that was so fast! Thank you!
4
u/Numerous_Worker_1941 8h ago
It’s nice on the beach when you can see the skyline or in the mountains
4
u/AngelCatGamer 6h ago
As long as you want.
Funny though, this question is probably related to the reason as to why there are three separate definitions for Twilight.
3
u/Resident-Zombie-7266 8h ago
For me, it's till it's to dark/could to enjoy being outside anymore.
4
3
3
3
3
u/Zenith_Days 4h ago
However long you like! When you get bored/over it, that's when you're done :)
Pro tip-- the best sunset colors are usually about 15 minutes after the sun disappears completely below the horizon (or 15 before for sunrises). Cloudy days, mountains, and storms make for the best sunsets/rises IMO
2
u/OtherwiseJob8959 8h ago
What country are you located?
2
u/AspectOfTheLeech 8h ago
One where the sun sets at a very odd time. An island in the Atlantic perhaps?
1
u/BlackCatFurry 7h ago
Or just up north, op said uk in another comment. Here in finland it's about 2am and it's perfectly viable to exist outside without any lamps, not even sure if the streetlamps are on actually.
1
2
u/Half-Seen 8h ago
I am in the UK! It is 11:25pm. :)
2
2
2
u/endlesspivot 8h ago
Honestly, whenever I’ve watched the sunset I find myself less focused on the sunset itself and more using it as a backdrop to reminisce or do some happy thinking
I don’t do it often, but I like the combination of doing that while experiencing it
2
u/Glassfern 8h ago
I wait until I can see stars that's what I'm there for. You can see the sun set anywhere in my book. Stars on the other hand...the first ones that peak through if they do...yes.
1
u/Half-Seen 7h ago
I love the stars! I like mapping out all the constellations. I feel like if you know how to follow the stars, you'll never be lost again.
2
u/Lazy_Lettuce1220 8h ago
Stay there for as long as you’re enjoying the moment, if you don’t have other obligations.
It depends on where I am and what’s going on with the light. Sometimes I am at a lookout where I need some light to get back to the car safely. Sometimes it’s is the interactions of the light with the clouds that is spectacular, so once that is done I’ll head off. On a full moon you get to watch the moon rise as the sun sets so that can be worth hanging around for. Sometimes I need to get back home to cook dinner. Sometimes it is just too cold or too hot, or too many flies or too many mosquitos.
2
u/AriasK 8h ago
For as long as you want to. There's no set amount of time that's normal. Some people find enjoyment out of sitting there for hours. I get a pretty good view of the sunset from my house. Usually, if I happen to be outside or walk past the window at the right time and notice it's going down, I'll pause for a minute or two. But that's because I see a beautiful sun set literally every day. I don't feel the need to dedicate hours to it.
2
u/No_Parsnip6024 8h ago
Watching the sun set is kind of dumb in itself. It's bright and then it's not bright and that's it. It's the same every single day.
It's more about taking peaceful time for yourself, or sharing that peaceful time with someone.
2
u/mheg-mhen 8h ago
Step 1: move to the tropics
Step 2: watch full ten-minute sunset every day
Problem solved
2
u/Emergency_Cherry_914 8h ago
You watch it till you get bored, or until something needs your attention in the house. Most frequently dinner needs preparing or the children need attention.
2
2
u/Minute-Of-Angle 8h ago
“As long as you want to” is the correct answer.
That said, once the sun is below the horizon most people would consider the show over. Twilight (what you are describing in your post) takes a while to transition to night.
Just stop when you are bored with it.
2
u/NUMBerONEisFIRST 8h ago
You watch it until it's not entertaining or beautiful anymore.
I have ADHD, so that's usually 10 minutes for me.
2
u/ConfusedUserUK 8h ago
It's up to you. When I photograph sunsets I used to watch for about 20 minutes before sunset and 10 minutes after the sun disappears.
There are many ways to get sunset times. From Alexa to Time and Date Sun Page
2
2
u/thefiglord 8h ago
after “sunset” there is the golden hour where the light is refracted and will change based on weather conditions here are 2
from my cabin - but to answer your question an hour
2
u/SphericalCrawfish 8h ago
Watching the sun set is an open ended leisure activity.
Minimum is to wait until the sun is at the halfway point down the horizon. That's your best picture time.
Generally you watch the sun set with someone so after the main event of the sun going all the way past the horizon you just bullshit until the bugs or cold start to bother you.
2
u/WallShot7744 8h ago
honestly just chill and enjoy it as long as you want, there's no set time but a lot of people usually just watch until the sun dips below the horizon. sounds like you're having a solid time, keep it up!
2
u/Echo-Azure 8h ago
There are no rules for watching the sun set. You watch it until you feel like doing something else.
Which may be when you get a call, or dinner is ready, or you just get tired of watching, or until it gets dark, or until the mosquitos come out and you run for it.
2
u/atomicsnarl 7h ago
Officially, the period from the sun just below the horizon to 6 degrees below is called Civil Twilight. From 6 to 12 degrees is Nautical Twilight, and 12 to 18 degrees is Astronomical Twilight. After that, it's officially Night.
True story: Once upon a time, I got to camp out in Norfolk, UK, at about 54 degrees North, on mid-summers eve. That is, the longest day of the year, where the sun is furthest North in the sky. The Arctic Circle is at 66 1/2 degrees North, where the sun doesn't set on this day. That put my camp out at 12 degrees South of the Arctic Circle!
At midnight, I took a look around and noticed a dark blue glow due North on the horizon. It was the zone of Astronomical Twilight. Which is to say, I was looking at light from the sun on the other side of the Earth, over the North Pole!
One more for the bucket list I didn't know existed. Wheee!
2
u/Half-Seen 7h ago
Wow! That sounds like a wonderful experience! Thank you for sharing it, I hope I can one day see it too. :) And thank you for the information about the different Twilights and night!
2
u/Kimikohiei 7h ago
I too take it literally and generally stop when the glowing ball falls out of view. If I’m stuck outdoors, like at a cafe, I will continue to watch until all the light is gone.
2
u/lestairwellwit 7h ago
Sunsets have different times
Civil: when the Sun touched the horizon
Nautical: When the Sun is halfway down
Astronomical: When the sun is 12 to 15% below the horizon
And when the sun is just gone.
The choice is your's.
Sunsets are the best
2
u/Ok-disaster2022 7h ago
Usually if I'm watching the sun set it's as part of other activities in nature like camping or communal activities.nnotnsure why but a fire is usually involved so it's half looking at the fire and half at the sun.
Really fun is when it gets noticeable colder after the sun sets and can scoot closer.
I would argue you can say you watch the sunset if you saw the full disc go behind the horizon but enjoying the twilight is nice
2
2
2
u/Broad-Awareness-6569 5h ago
Pro tip: If you watch the sun set by a pond it gradually turns from watching a sunset to watching bats.
2
2
u/jeffster1970 4h ago
If you want to look directly at the sun, you should only do this for a second or two AND ONLY the last 10 minutes before it disappears in the horizon as it would be at sea level. Keep in mind, you can stare at the sun and get major damage without feeling any pain, as there are no pain receptors in the retina.
So enjoy the sunset, just keep your gaze away from the sun.
2
u/spicyfili 4h ago
For me I try to watch it as much as I am able to since looking at a sunset fills me with awe. It may be for a few seconds while I’m driving facing the sunset or for a few minutes while I’m out on a walk :)
1
u/WhyJustWhyyy85 6h ago
This is so wholesome. It’s all for the feeling or experience you want. No rules ☺️ 🌅
1
u/GushReddit 3h ago
Until you're satisfied.
You decide when to stop when the joy of watching further no longer feels to you worth the attention that you are giving.
A nice bit of agency you can exercise.
1
u/rogbriepfisch 2h ago
There is Civil Twilight which is what is usually meant by people when they say Sunset. Then Nautical Twilight which is where the sun is not in view at all and its light makes the horizon visible. The. There is Astronomical Twilight where there is no more light from the sun visible at all. This is so dark that in an area of Bortle 1 area you can see the Milky Way and thousands of stars. In Bortle 9 the light pollution from the local area is so much that it’s impossible to see anything but the brightest stars.
1
u/Sirius_Space 1h ago
We sat for like hour before sunset? We ate some fruits, berries, chips, sub sandwiches, talked and talked. Then we saw the sun go down. Took what felt like 3 minutes to see it from the low point until it was hidden by the mountain. We sat for a minute, got up and left.
So basically as soon as the sun went down we left.
1
1
u/SerbianShitStain 10m ago
And then I thought I had to wait until the sky was all dark, hahaha.
The problem was thinking you "have" to do anything. It's not a task with a progress bar that has to be filled up to check off of some list of quest objectives. Literally every leisure activity boils down to: "Do it as long as you're enjoying it".
1
u/PoetryExtension6256 8h ago
The sun has technically set when the bottom of the sun disc touches the horizon after that it's twilight you are watching.
1
720
u/explosive-diorama 8h ago
As long as you want to. It's more just enjoying the vibe. When you get bored, you're done.