Twilight and Afterglow Effects at Chelsea, 26 November 1883', 1888

Twilight and Afterglow Effects at Chelsea, 26 November 1883', 1888. Three pastel sketches by William Ascroft documenting the meteorological effects of the eruption of Krakatoa, Indonesia. On 27 August 1883, the volcano on the island of Krakatoa erupted in a massive explosion, throwing large quantities of ash and dust high into the atmosphere, producing spectacular sunsets and afterglows around the world. Volcanic dust also has a more serious impact on the world's climate. Because it blocks a proportion of the incoming solar radiation, temperatures on the Earth's surface are reduced. After the Krakatoa eruption, several years of poor summers and harsh winters followed as a result of this effect. Ascroft recorded optical phenomena attributed to the after-effects of the eruption until 1886. ©SSPL/Science Museum