Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I have been wanting to know this for a while, I'm doing a Wikipedia page on why the sky changes colors, and I realized I don't have a answer myself, so please, why does the sky really change colors? +

Hi,

That's a great question, you might already know that the sky appears blue because air molecules in our atmosphere scatter the light that comes from the sun. Blue light has a shorter wavelength, which makes it the most dominant color we see (this is called Rayleigh scattering).

During sunrise or sunset, you might see colors like red, orange, pink, etc. and this is since the sun's light takes a longer path through the atmosphere. This path means that the blue light is scattered while the longer wavelengths of light (like red/orange) can pass through.

Other factors like dust, pollution, and clouds can all also change the colors you see.

A link that might help - https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/blue-sky/en/

Good luck on your Wikipedia page!

- AB