Suntouch (sun´touch) n. astr. jour. new. 1. Used collectively for both sunrise and sunset, this is those few moments of each day when the sun seemingly touches the earth. Suntouch is the precise moments the sun passes through that plane where the sky and earth meet. 2. In places where mountains are seen rising above the eastern or western horizon, the suntouch may be at a somewhat different time than the actual sunrise or sunset.

Although this atmospheric phenomena occurs twice each and every day, it only lasts a few moments. Too, seeing and photographing this event is by far much harder to do than is the sunglow. On most days, the sun is not available for viewing when it achieves suntouch as it is either covered with clouds or other objects obstructing its clear view. Too, in many parts of the country, such as by the coasts, the skies in the areas of the suntouch are nearly never cloudless.

To acquire a good photo of the suntouch, much planning is often required in order to be on site at the exact time and in the optimum position for viewing.