← Optical Phenomena

Rayleigh Scattering

Why Is The Sky Blue?

Rayleigh scattering intensity is proportional to 1/λ&sup4;. Blue light (λ≈450nm) scatters ~5.5x more than red (λ≈700nm).

At sunset, sunlight travels a longer path through the atmosphere. Most blue is scattered away, leaving warm reds and oranges.