Aerosols become visible as the sun hides behind rock formation

Aerosols - tiny atmospheric particles of natural or human origin - often remain hidden for the human eye as they drift along with the wind. This photo makes them visible as the sun sets behind a rock formation called the "Schwarze Hörner" in the Pizol region in eastern Switzerland at a height of 2645 meters above sea level. The sunlight deflected off the aerosols towards the observer makes them visible. For a couple of long minutes, the tiny particles floated slowly and peacefully like butterflies in the clear evening air, while the sunlight bathed the top of the rocks in bright light. The sun was visible through a hole in the rock formation before finally setting behind the mountains.