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Why the sky looks blue – the science behind it
White light contains many wavelengths; each associated with different colors. Short wavelength blue light is scattered strongly by nitrogen and oxygen molecules in the atmosphere and reaches our eyes from all directions. Long wavelength red light passes through the atmosphere more easily. That’s why the sky looks blue during the day but can be red at sunrise and sunset, when sunlight travels farther through the atmosphere.
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White light contains many wavelengths; each associated with different colors. Short wavelength blue light is scattered strongly by nitrogen and oxygen molecules in the atmosphere and reaches our eyes from all directions. Long wavelength red light passes through the atmosphere more easily. That’s why the sky looks blue during the day but can be red at sunrise and sunset, when sunlight travels farther through the atmosphere.
White light contains many wavelengths; each associated with different colors. Short wavelength blue light is scattered strongly by nitrogen and oxygen molecules in the atmosphere and reaches our eyes from all directions. Long wavelength red light passes through the atmosphere more easily. That’s why the sky looks blue during the day but can be red at sunrise and sunset, when sunlight travels farther through the atmosphere.
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