Pat Shingleton for Aug. 21, 2012

Once our late afternoon thunderstorms end, our “weather watchers” forward spectacular pictures of sunsets we share with our viewers.

As noted in a previous column, research indicates there are physical benefits to sunsets.

Scientists have discovered that during complete darkness, a body produces the hormone melatonin. Melatonin fights diseases, including breast and prostate cancer. Small amounts of light around your bed switch off the production of melatonin, so a dark night may keep certain cancers under control.

Light during the evening hours, emanating from your bedroom television, activates other “daytime” immune system hormones. If these are compromised, illnesses are more likely.

Scientists contend nature needs darkness, as animals’ immune systems grow weak if there’s artificial light at night. Fastcast: Drier.