Chapter 1
How light meets our atmosphere
Chapter 2
The fiery magic of sunsets
Chapter 3
Skies of other worlds
Chapter 4
Through the human eye
YOUR GOAL
Master of Why the sky is blue and sunsets are red
Ch 1 · How light meets our atmosphere
artiteacher Rayleigh Scattering
Blue light scatters, blue light scatters, but the red shines through!
artiteacher In 1871, Lord Rayleigh discovered that shorter wavelengths of light scatter much more easily than longer ones.
artiteacher Earth's atmosphere is packed with tiny gas molecules that block and redirect incoming sunlight.
Fun Fact
Sky on Earth: If Earth had no atmosphere, the sky would look pitch black even at noon.
Glossary
scattering (noun)
The deflection of transmitted light or other radiation in multiple directions by particles in a medium. Lord Rayleigh proved in 1871 that atmospheric gases deflect blue wavelengths more than longer red ones.
The deflection of transmitted light or other radiation in multiple directions by particles in a medium. Lord Rayleigh proved in 1871 that atmospheric gases deflect blue wavelengths more than longer red ones.
Quiz
What is the process of light bouncing off tiny gas molecules in all directions called?