Chasing Sunsets: A Year of Celestial Standees Over Cairo

As the calendar pages turn, there’s a particular magic that dances along the horizon, often overlooked in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives.

Each month, the heavens present a spectacular showcase of colors; a boisterous spectacle where the sun flaunts its departure, cheekily bidding us adieu, apparently relishing its brief moment in the spotlight. So, let’s embark on a year-long jaunt, peeking through the lens at sunsets over Cairo, Egypt – a city where history and modernity mingle, all under a sprawling sky that has watched it all.

Picture this: it’s the 21st of every month. You know, that perfect day where you don’t have to remember anniversaries or birthdays. It’s just you, your camera, and the expansive tableau of the Western horizon. Each image, a postcard moment from a time machine, framing the sun’s journey from April 2023 to March 2024.

Let’s start in April. Ah, spring is in the air! The sunset is just a hint of summer’s loud arrival, with colors that resemble a well-mixed cocktail—sweet and tangy with a dash of sparkle. By May, the golden hour shines with such tenacity that it feels like the sun is trying to sneak an extra five minutes of fame, perhaps earn an Oscar for Best Supporting Sun.

Onward we march to the height of the summer solstice, with the sun taking a leisurely stroll across the sky. The 21st of June rolls around, and the blazing ball of fire positions itself in the northernmost point of its annual journey. Think of it as the sun’s version of a vacation, soaking in the heat while the rest of us swelter underneath. The colors spill like melted crayons on canvas—the reds, oranges, and brilliant yellows vying for attention as they slowly give way to deep twilight blues.

But wait! Just when you think the sun has reached peak drama, July raises the stakes, turning the sky into a canvas of swirling hues. It’s as if the universe itself decided to have an impromptu color war, splashing excitement in every direction. By August, the thrill starts to settle, hinting towards the enchanting coolness of fall, while September embraces you with softer tones, like a warm hug from an old friend.

As October ushers in the enchanting twilight of autumn, the picture transforms; those sun-kissed hues now giving way to richer golds and gentle crimsons. You can practically hear nature sighing in relief as it prepares for winter’s frosty arrival. By November, we find ourselves on the brink of the winter solstice—when the sun appears to take a remarkable pause, leading us into a world of soft pastel sunsets against a crisp evening air.

December brings dramatic flair, as daylight shrinks into a compact encore. The 21st of December, the day the sun plays door-to-door with winter, showcases a serenade of moody grays and soft pastels—a poetic portrait of surrender, signaling the start of winter’s reign in the Northern Hemisphere.

As we flip our way through January to March, the sunsets gradually reclaim their lost vibrancy. February greets us with the sun’s return to a more generous palette, teasing us with warmer tones that whisper of spring. And come March, we find ourselves back on the cusp of the spring equinox, where the explosion of color reignites as the sun reclaims its territory after a long winter’s nap.

In the heart of this annual celestial ballet lies the solstice, derived from the Latin phrase meaning “sun stands still.” On that day, the sun seems to hang momentarily, teasing us with the promise of eternal daylight before it dances back into motion.

So, my friends, whether you are seated on a rooftop in Cairo or simply dreaming of desert sunsets from afar, remember that each sunset is not just a daily event; it’s a magical reminder of the dance of time, a journey we all share together. Behold, a year in sunsets captured in stacked panoramic views, charting the sun’s audacious path. It’s a tapestry of color woven into the very fabric of our existence—one sunset at a time. Now, grab your cameras and get ready; the sun isn’t done with its show just yet!
Image via NASA https://ift.tt/Ji2qrMv