Red sunsets, blue moons, and milky-white skies are mainly the result of ____.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Scattering is the primary reason for the color variations in the sky, including red sunsets, blue moons, and milky-white skies. This phenomenon occurs when molecules and small particles in the atmosphere scatter sunlight in different directions. The scattering of shorter wavelengths (blue and violet light) by atmospheric gases causes the sky to appear blue during the day. During sunrise and sunset, the light path through the atmosphere is longer, so more of the shorter wavelengths are scattered out, leaving the longer wavelengths (reds and oranges) to dominate the sky's color.

Red Sunsets, Blue Moons, and Milky-White Skies Are Mainly the Result