mikaylasonnenfeld
Science of Sunsets
The vivid colors we identify with a spectacular sunset are caused by different wavelengths emitted via solar radiation. Our eyes can only see a narrow range of the wavelengths emitted by the sun, which constitutes the visible spectrum. Each color we can identify corresponds to a particular wavelength, with reds having the longest wavelength and violet having the shortest wavelength. When light beams enter the atmosphere, they run into particles in the air, such as nitrogen and oxygen atoms. These atoms scatter the shortest light rays, resulting in the daytime sky looking distinctively blue. However, as dusk approaches, the Earth turns away from the sun, and the short blue rays are all scattered out before they can reach our eyes. The longer wavelengths of red and orange however, are not as scattered and then tend to dominate during this time. Sunsets that occur in the fall or winter (such as the one above) tend to be brighter and more dramatic because the air through which the light beams travel tends to be cleaner and dryer, resulting in less displacement of the light. One interesting thing to ponder is the idea that everything sees light differently. The sunset that humans see for example, is way different that the sunset that other animals see. Some animals can see ultraviolet rays, which would make a sunset appear much more colorful. The way various animals and organisms see and use light contribute greatly to the science of ecology and to the function of creatures on our planet.
For more information about this topic, visit:
news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/10/131027-sunset-sk...
This photograph was taken behind Cameron Hall on January 17th.
Science of Sunsets
The vivid colors we identify with a spectacular sunset are caused by different wavelengths emitted via solar radiation. Our eyes can only see a narrow range of the wavelengths emitted by the sun, which constitutes the visible spectrum. Each color we can identify corresponds to a particular wavelength, with reds having the longest wavelength and violet having the shortest wavelength. When light beams enter the atmosphere, they run into particles in the air, such as nitrogen and oxygen atoms. These atoms scatter the shortest light rays, resulting in the daytime sky looking distinctively blue. However, as dusk approaches, the Earth turns away from the sun, and the short blue rays are all scattered out before they can reach our eyes. The longer wavelengths of red and orange however, are not as scattered and then tend to dominate during this time. Sunsets that occur in the fall or winter (such as the one above) tend to be brighter and more dramatic because the air through which the light beams travel tends to be cleaner and dryer, resulting in less displacement of the light. One interesting thing to ponder is the idea that everything sees light differently. The sunset that humans see for example, is way different that the sunset that other animals see. Some animals can see ultraviolet rays, which would make a sunset appear much more colorful. The way various animals and organisms see and use light contribute greatly to the science of ecology and to the function of creatures on our planet.
For more information about this topic, visit:
news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/10/131027-sunset-sk...
This photograph was taken behind Cameron Hall on January 17th.