Why do we see colorful sunsets

We look at the sunset in the western sky, they provide a theater-like backdrop for the sun. Those clouds can then reflect those beautiful warm hues back to our eyes, intensifying the experience. Given all these variables, I wondered: Can great sunsets be predicted? You can predict them, Corfidi says, with data on humidity, and an understanding of where clouds will be positioned near sunset. Part of the beauty of a sunset is being caught off-guard, being surprised, delighted, and dazzled toward the end of the day.

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By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Why sunsets are better in the winter. Reddit Pocket Flipboard Email. Sunsets, explained Sunset colors are created by a phenomenon called Rayleigh scattering.

It makes a little more sense when you see a diagram. NOAA At sunset, light has to travel through a greater distance of atmosphere to reach our eyes — so even more blue light, and even some green and yellow light, gets filtered out.

So crisp, dryer air allows more pure colors to reach our eyes. Twilight lasts longer closer to the solstices. So those pure colored sunsets linger. Part of the beauty is in the surprise Given all these variables, I wondered: Can great sunsets be predicted? Delivered Fridays. Thanks for signing up! You might be wondering: Why does the color of the sky change at different times of the day? The answer has to do with how light from the Sun interacts with the atmosphere surrounding the Earth.

Light travels in waves. Every color we see is determined by the length of those waves. Red wavelengths are the longest, and as you go through the rainbow the waves get shorter and shorter until you reach the blues and violets, which are the smallest.

But here on Earth, swirling in the air around us are thousands of near-invisible particles. So the next time you watch the sun rising or setting, you can appreciate its beauty and the scientific phenomenon that allows this to happen. Open in Our App. Download it here.

Eric Curtin, Belgium. Thank you to everyone who sent in a sunrise or sunset picture to help visually explain this blog. By Meteorologist Brooke Brighton Nationwide. The most vibrant colors can usually be seen in the sky at sunrise and sunset. What You Need To Know The sun has more colors present at sunrise and sunset The atmosphere refracts solar radiation Longer wavelength colors tend to be closest to the horizon.