European Union Forums

[Peach]

Can anyone tell me why the sky on earth is blue, but in space it is dark?

[Terry]

The blue color of the sky is due to Rayleigh scattering. As light moves through the atmosphere, most of the longer wavelengths pass straight through. Little of the red, orange and yellow light is affected by the air.

However, much of the shorter wavelength light is absorbed by the gas molecules. The absorbed blue light is then radiated in different directions. It gets scattered all around the sky. Whichever direction you look, some of this scattered blue light reaches you. Since you see the blue light from everywhere overhead, the sky looks blue.
As you look closer to the horizon, the sky appears much paler in color. To reach you, the scattered blue light must pass through more air. Some of it gets scattered away again in other directions. Less blue light reaches your eyes. The color of the sky near the horizon appears paler or white.

[Riser]

or blue can is because we so want to see him! and the sun itself is red and we see yellow! sometimes see in the beautiful things only good sides! the sky is really nice and even when it is overcast is still nice because is something that man will not touch again, will never reach - Infinity

[M.Helen]

answer to this question you received in school! if honestly you would have to be ashamed! However I would like to ask you ..... if you could choose another color for the sky what it would be ?

[Lorry]

The blue color of the sky is due to Rayleigh scattering. As light moves through the atmosphere, most of the longer wavelengths pass straight through. Little of the red, orange and yellow light is affected by the air.
However, much of the shorter wavelength light is absorbed by the gas molecules. The absorbed blue light is then radiated in different directions. It gets scattered all around the sky. Whichever direction you look, some of this scattered blue light reaches you. Since you see the blue light from everywhere overhead, the sky looks blue.