Sunday, October 29, 2006

I'm Just Wondering

Every evening on the ship we received a newsletter filled with information about the next day. They listed activites on board and posted info on the island we were visiting as well as arrival and departure times. They also noted what time the sun would rise and set. Fortunately for me, my husband is an early riser, so I got to see the sun rise several times during the week.

The thing I want to know is, how do they know when the sun is going to rise? What I mean is, how can they say it will rise at 6:13 a.m. when the rising of the sun is such a glorious and gently unfolding process?

Has the sun truly risen when you are sitting in total darkness and you see the first small ray of light at 6:13 a.m.? Or has the sun officially risen when all the darkness has dissipated at 6:13 a.m. and there is only light that is visible?






8 comments:

  1. Awesome, awesome, AWESOME! I almost feel like I was there watching with you. Thank you for sharing these tremendous photos!

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  2. Absolutely amazing shots Annie!

    For me "sunrise" was defined back in 1997 while on the way to visit my grandmother.

    As I was driving due north the sky was oitch black.Then suddenly there it was to my left - light, one small ray. The countryside was flat and I could see the horizon with perfectly.

    Then the sun began to rise, a big giant yellow orange ball peeking its head above the horizin ever so slowly. Over the course of the next five minutes I watched it rise higher and higher until it was completely above the horizon.

    I darn near went blind as I watched it, and never once did it stop moving - that was the amazing part.

    I love your pictures! I'm glad you're back.

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  3. Love the piccies! Look how calm the water is in that second picture! I rarely get to see sunrises anymore as I am a late owl, but sunsets are beautiful, too!

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  4. Gorgeous! Isn't it nice to know the sun you see on the boat is the same one shining on your loved ones back home?

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  5. Your pictures are beautiful!! I just know you had such a wonderful time!!

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  6. Actually, the sun doesn't rise at all. It's a illusion on our part cause by the fact that we're just sitting here both revoluting around it and rotating even as we accomplish that. But, then, you're certainly welcome to put your own spin to it. ....

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  7. Beth Glad you enjoyed the photos.

    Brother Wade Isn't it wonderful to have sight to see such beatiful things?

    Regina Clare Jane I was surprised at how calm the water was when we were far out at sea.

    Jules Yes!!

    Princess Yes ma'am, I had a wonderful time.

    Jim Ha Ha, yes, you are right that the sun actually does not rise! I don't think I can rewrite the laws of nature, can I? Still, how can they take one precise minute and say with certainty, that is when the sun has risen?

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  8. I am totally with you on this. I've always wondered why there is such a precise time for sun rise and sun set. Your pictures are wonderful.

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Don't just sit there staring, say something!