The Science of a Sunset

Photo: Puget Sound from West Seattle, by David Klinghoffer.

Many of us have enjoyed a colorful twilight or a stunning sunset. But how often do we think about the science behind these memorable conditions? Forrest Mims has been measuring the Earth’s atmosphere for more than 30 years. On this episode of ID the Future, Mims shares with us some of the secrets he’s learned from his long-term research. Mims has forged a distinguished scientific career despite having no academic training in science. He is an instrument designer, science writer, and independent science consultant. Mims has published over 60 books, including his latest: Maverick Scientist: My Adventures as an Amateur Scientist. 

Mims kicks off this discussion with a brief refresher about the five different layers of Earth’s atmosphere and what got him interested in twilight science. He goes on to explain how he built his own twilight photometer and how he uses it to detect aerosols, ozone, forest fire, and volcano emissions, and even dust and smoke from meteors. He also recalls the story of how he corrected NASA’s own atmospheric measurements with homemade instruments, a fascinating chapter in his career that led to further opportunities to work for NASA. Mims concludes with some pointers on how to build your own homemade twilight photometer. Because as Mims reminds us, to be a scientist, you just have to do science!  Find and listen to the podcast here.

Dig Deeper

• Watch our recent video conversation with Mims about his memoir Maverick Scientist:

Photo by Casey Sernaqué

Andrew McDiarmid

_{Director of Podcasting and Senior Fellow}Andrew McDiarmid is Director of Podcasting and a Senior Fellow at the Discovery Institute. He is also a contributing writer to MindMatters.ai. He produces ID The Future, a podcast from the Center for Science & Culture that presents the case, research, and implications of intelligent design and explores the debate over evolution. He writes and speaks regularly on the impact of technology on human living. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including the New York Post, Houston Chronicle, The Daily Wire, San Francisco Chronicle, Real Clear Politics, Newsmax, The American Spectator, The Federalist, and Technoskeptic Magazine. In addition to his roles at the Discovery Institute, he promotes his homeland as host of the Scottish culture and music podcast Simply Scottish, available anywhere podcasts are found. Andrew holds an MA in Teaching from Seattle Pacific University and a BA in English/Creative Writing from the University of Washington. Learn more about his work at andrewmcdiarmid.org.

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aerosolsatmosphereatmospheric measurementsdustforest fireForrest MimsID the FutureMaverick Scientist: My Adventures as an Amateur ScientistmeteorsNASAozonescience writersscientistssmokesunsettwilighttwilight photometertwilight sciencevolcano emissions

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