TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A computational biologist based in Taipei captured photos of rainbows and a spectacular sunset in the capital city on Sunday (Sept. 30). 

As Typhoon Krathon approached Taiwan from the south, Taipei residents posted photos of vivid rainbows and otherworldly sunsets on social media. Chase W. Nelson (X @chasewnelson) told Taiwan News he had captured the following images near Nianru Park in Taipei's Xinyi District at approximately 5:35 p.m. on Sunday.

Nelson said the photos were taken with an iPhone 14. When asked about his inspiration, Nelson said when he stepped out that evening, the air around him suddenly glowed with orange. He said, “I looked up and gasped, wow!" 

He said photography is a way of freezing time, as a glance at an old photo "can transport us back into the past, to exactly what we were feeling or thinking or going through." Nelson said time can give a new perspective on those moments, and the picture allows one to see details that are only noticed later.

"I knew this was one of those special moments," said Nelson. 

In addition, Reddit user t1tanium took a screen capture from the Taipei Travel Live Cam on Xiangshan showing a Mars-like red sunset over Taipei. This image was also taken on Sunday at 5:39 p.m.