Why are sunsets red?

The intense red and orange hues of the sky at sunset are mainly caused by scattering of sunlight by dust particles, soot particles, other solid aerosols, and liquid aerosols in the Earth's atmosphere. These enhanced red and orange colors at sunset are mathematically explained by the Mie theory or the discrete dipole approximation. (We won't go into that)

Sunlight, called white light, is made up of different colors of light, each having a different wavelength. During a sunset, more red light is scattered toward you because of the aerosols, compared to the amount of blue or green light.

At sunset, sunlight passes through a much longer path of the lower atmosphere than when the sun is overhead, so the effect of the aerosols becomes much stronger. So, you end up seeing more red light that any of the other colors of light, and the sky appears red.

Amen! Amen!! Amen!!! djnana · 2010-09-10: 23:42

beautifullllllllllllllllllllll photodeclair · 2010-09-10: 23:46

Beautiful illustrations for Mie Theory of the discrete dipole approximation! atszabo · 2010-09-10: 23:57

Geez Louise. Couldn't you just say it's red because I said so? Beautiful sky and shots Joe! RayNvb · 2010-09-11: 01:55

Excellent shots. farideh · 2010-09-11: 01:59

Magic, magic sky. Amen ! and bravo for the lecture....But fortunately that you did not develop the "Mie theory", it would have wasted the poetry... I tease you Joe, thanks for this sharing josy63 · 2010-09-11: 02:31

Beautiful sky and shots ! i love # 1 pic !!!!! Davorka · 2010-09-11: 02:44

ha! Ha! I liked RayNb reply , very interesting , do you know why some planes flight tracks you see in the sky and some not? Testing your knowledge ;) MoMac · 2010-09-11: 06:15

Stunning shots! ????? · 2010-09-11: 07:07

Oh....Nice colors! Superb,my friend! :)) Goldbrandi · 2010-09-11: 07:11

#1 my fav: ) nieprzyzwoita · 2010-09-11: 11:03

What a great set Joe! I love sunsets! And thanks for the info! jeffcornish · 2010-09-11: 11:33

nice azrakuki · 2010-09-11: 11:45

ho! yes!! we're in heaven!! tomie · 2010-09-11: 12:39

Beautiful set!!! ????? · 2010-09-11: 15:07

First is amazing! pandka · 2010-09-11: 15:47

These are gorgeous Joe!!! ...and thanks for the info! jennye · 2010-09-11: 15:56

Now that I have some time for PB, I went back and put #1 in my favorites - it's truly glorious! djnana · 2010-09-11: 23:37

beautiful!!! the first is my favorite, love the comp with the coastline (?) in the righthand corner urmysunshine · 2010-09-12: 10:05

yes ! It's a great song for the Creator : so wonderful nature : so Love for us ! Thanks helys · 2010-09-12: 10:49

Stunning what more can I say! mattmckenna · 2010-09-12: 11:23

Absolutely gorgeous! I like the title better than the scientific explanation :-)) They are heartwarming nevertheless, saved #3. NellyBly · 2010-09-12: 16:40

Joe, this is an outstanding set!! ????? · 2010-09-12: 17:16

I love the first shot. So beautiful!!! And thanks for the facts you tell us. ^_^ huiching · 2010-09-13: 00:15

natural beauty elizzi · 2010-09-13: 19:30

The composition in #1 is fantastic. All the colors are so beautiful in the post. SunflowerGirl · 2010-09-13: 21:27

Absolut beautiful! kpnitz · 2010-09-14: 10:55

Are you a Leonard Cohen fan? He does this song so well! Beautiful sunsets! DancingDolphin · 2010-09-14: 23:12

great colour capture Buffer221 · 2011-09-20: 17:28

Ohhhh yesss!!!!! miclaud · 2011-09-21: 07:26

I remember this post well, Joe, so that's an "Amen" ditto! I loved it then and voted for it now! djnana · 2011-12-30: 00:03