Why Is the Sky Blue?

Have you ever looked up and wondered why the sky is blue? The answer is hidden in sunlight. Although sunlight looks white, it is really a mix of many colors. When light from the Sun reaches our air, it hits tiny gas molecules. These molecules scatter the light in every direction. Blue light travels in short waves, so it scatters much more than red or yellow light. Because blue light bounces around the sky, we see blue almost everywhere we look during the day. At sunset, the light must travel through more air to reach our eyes. By then, most of the blue has scattered away, and we mostly see red and orange colors instead. This is why the sky can look so beautiful in the evening. So the next time you enjoy a blue sky, remember that it is simply light playing games with the air above you.