We haven’t seen too much posted by scientists yet, but it really begs the question: why are our sunsets so wonderful? Sunsets in the last few nights have been several notches more dramatic, more spectacular than we’ve seen in a while. We’ve long known going back to our high school days, that our science teachers spoke often about the role that high altitude dust has in the beauty of our sunsets.

Were there no atmosphere around the Earth our sunsets and sunrises would be colorless and quick. Add a healthy atmosphere with moisture here and there, and note the drama almost every end of the day, and at dawn most mornings.

We grew up learning that volcanoes are capable of being a significant contributor to the color of our sky, even though they are thousands of miles away.

Whatever truth there is to volcanic ash now reaching high into the trophosphere and ultimately our stratosphere is worth watching. Or, if it is something else, just marveling at the sight does make a great summer experience and likewise a memory.

Only a few will see the thin crescent moon Friday night low in the southwestern sky, when it is but a short distance from the planet Mercury. But Saturday night will be superb, when the moon appears considerably higher and close to the bright planet Venus.