How is the illumination quality of the afternoon sun, approaching solar noon, generally described compared to the morning sun?
Answer
Brighter and harsher due to less scattering.
As the sun progresses towards its highest point in the sky, known as the zenith or solar noon, the path length the sunlight must travel through the atmosphere shortens considerably because the angle of incidence becomes more direct. With a shorter path, there is less scattering of light waves. This reduction in scattering means that a higher concentration of direct energy reaches the ground, resulting in light that is perceived as brighter and possessing a harsher quality compared to the diffused, gentler light experienced earlier in the morning.
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