How to see Earth’s shadow at sunrise and sunset

Earth's shadow can be observed twice a day, at sunrise and sunset, as a bluish band adjacent to the horizon. This shadow extends approximately 870,000 miles (1.4 million km) into space. It is always positioned opposite the sun and is accompanied by a pink band above it, known as the Belt of Venus.

To see Earth's shadow, look east after sunset or west before sunrise. The shadow appears deep blue-gray and is darker than the twilight sky. To fully appreciate it, find a location with a long view of the horizon, such as a hill, and turn your head along the arc of the horizon opposite the sun to see the entire shadow. Remember that the shadow is curved, just like the Earth itself.

Once you spot the shadow, wait for it to ascend or descend at the same rate that the sun rises or sets on the opposite horizon. It's also important to note that night itself is a shadow, as you are standing within Earth's shadow when the sun sets.