Civil Twilight – A Comprehensive Aviation Glossary

Civil Twilight: Core Definition and Aviation Relevance

Civil twilight is the period of day when the Sun’s geometric center lies between 0° and 6° below the local horizon. This occurs twice daily—just before sunrise and just after sunset—when the sky remains bright enough for most activities without artificial light, even though the Sun itself isn’t visible.

In aviation and international regulation, civil twilight is precisely defined. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) use civil twilight to establish the legal boundaries of “night,” which is the period between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight. This distinction determines when pilots must log night flying hours, when aircraft and runway lighting must be active, and when operational restrictions apply.

The duration of civil twilight varies greatly with latitude and season. Near the equator, it lasts about 20 minutes; near the poles, it can extend for hours. This impacts flight planning, scheduling, and regulatory compliance worldwide.

The Three Phases of Twilight

Twilight is divided into three phases based on the Sun’s angle below the horizon:

• Civil Twilight (0°–6°): Sky is bright, only the brightest planets and stars are visible. Most relevant for aviation, legal, and outdoor activities.
• Nautical Twilight (6°–12°): Horizon can still be made out at sea. Used for navigation and by military planners.
• Astronomical Twilight (12°–18°): Sky darkens further; only faint residual sunlight remains. Astronomers use this to mark when deep-sky observation becomes possible.

Each phase has precise boundaries calculated by astronomical tables, which are referenced in official aviation and maritime regulations.

Scientific Definition and Visualization

Civil twilight is defined by the vertical angle between the Sun’s center and the local horizon—specifically, when the Sun is between 0° and 6° below. This threshold was chosen because terrestrial features are still visible under clear skies.

A simple visualization: hold out your arm and stack three fingers together against the horizon—this subtends about 6°, marking the civil twilight zone.

During civil twilight, the sky glows with blue, yellow, and orange hues. Only the brightest celestial objects, such as Venus or Jupiter, are visible. Landscape and portrait photographers value this period as the “golden hour” or “blue hour,” when lighting is soft and balanced.

Civil Twilight in Aviation and Regulation

Civil twilight is a cornerstone of aviation safety and compliance:

• Pilot Logbooks: Pilots only log night hours between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight. These hours are essential for licensing and maintaining currency.
• Lighting Requirements: Aircraft position lights and airport lighting (runways, taxiways, obstacles) must be active during civil twilight at minimum, as per ICAO Annex 14 and FAA regulations.
• Operational Restrictions: Some airports lacking night certification restrict operations to daylight periods, ending at the close of evening civil twilight.

Civil twilight is also referenced in laws governing traffic lighting, hunting, fishing, and public safety, marking when additional precautions are needed as natural light diminishes.

Civil Twilight in Astronomy and Observation

During civil twilight, only the brightest planets and stars are visible. Astronomers typically wait for civil twilight to end before beginning deep-sky observation. Astrophotographers prize this time for “blue hour” shots—when the sky is deeply saturated and cityscapes are beautifully illuminated.

Atmospheric phenomena like the Belt of Venus (a pinkish band opposite the Sun) and crepuscular rays are best seen during civil twilight. Weather observers and scientists use this period to log sky conditions, cloud types, and other visual phenomena.

Duration of Civil Twilight: Latitude and Season

Civil twilight’s duration changes dramatically based on latitude and season:

At the equator, the Sun rises and sets steeply, shortening twilight. At high latitudes, the Sun’s path is shallow, prolonging twilight. Near the poles, civil twilight can last for hours or even persist all night during summer “white nights.”

Civil Twilight in Polar Regions: White Nights and Polar Night

In polar areas, civil twilight takes on extreme forms:

• White Nights: Just outside the Arctic and Antarctic Circles, the Sun remains just below the horizon for much of the night in summer, creating continuous civil or nautical twilight—never true darkness.
• Polar Night: In winter, the Sun doesn’t rise for days or weeks. Still, a brief civil twilight may occur at midday, offering precious natural light.

For example, in parts of Scandinavia during midsummer, civil twilight may last from sunset to sunrise for weeks. In Antarctica, civil twilight can persist for months, even when the Sun never rises.

Practical Use Cases and Daily Applications

• Urban Lighting: Streetlights often turn on at the start of evening civil twilight and off at the end of morning civil twilight.
• Construction and Outdoor Work: Schedules often use civil twilight as the limit for safe, unlit work.
• Recreation: Hikers, cyclists, and runners plan to finish activities before the end of evening civil twilight for safety.
• Legal and Regulatory: Hunting, fishing, and some construction activities are regulated by civil twilight boundaries.
• Astronomy: Observers wait for civil twilight to end before deep-sky observation.

How to Visualize Civil Twilight

• Brightness: During civil twilight, it’s easy to read, recognize faces, and see colors without artificial light.
• Estimating 6°: Hold three fingers at arm’s length—this is about 6°, the angular span of civil twilight.

Civil Twilight in ICAO and International Regulation

ICAO Annex 14 mandates that all required aerodrome lighting be operational from the start of evening civil twilight until the end of morning civil twilight. Obstacle lighting for tall structures (usually 45+ meters) must remain on during civil twilight and night to ensure aviation safety.

Most national authorities follow ICAO’s standard unless local conditions (like polar extremes) require adaptation.

Glossary of Twilight and Related Terms

• Twilight: Periods before sunrise and after sunset when the sky is partially illuminated but the Sun is below the horizon.
• Civil Twilight: Sun is 0°–6° below the horizon; legal and operational daylight boundary.
• Civil Dawn/Dusk: When the Sun crosses the 6° boundary in the morning/evening.
• Nautical Twilight: Sun is 6°–12° below horizon; used for navigation.
• Astronomical Twilight: Sun is 12°–18° below horizon; sky dark enough for astronomy.
• Night: Period between the end of evening civil twilight and the start of morning civil twilight.
• Golden Hour: The period shortly after sunrise or before sunset, overlaps with civil twilight.
• Blue Hour: Deep blue sky during civil and nautical twilight, ideal for photography.
• White Nights: Extended civil twilight all night near the poles in summer.
• Obstacle Lighting: Aviation safety lights on tall structures, required during civil twilight and night.

Summary Table: Twilight and Its Effects

Key Takeaways

Civil twilight is a critical natural and legal boundary for aviation, navigation, astronomy, and daily life. Its definition—Sun 0°–6° below the horizon—is universally accepted in regulations and operational standards. Duration and experience of civil twilight change with location and season, but its importance for safety, compliance, and planning remains constant.

For more expert insights and regulatory tools, explore Tarmac View for guides on aviation operations and the science of twilight.