How Does the Sky Change Color at Sunrise and Sunset?

The sky changes color at sunrise and sunset because the sun is lower in the sky, and its light has to travel through more of the Earth’s atmosphere. This makes the blue light scatter away, leaving behind red and orange colors that we see as the sun rises or sets. It's like a rainbow hiding in plain sight!

When the sun is high in the sky, its light travels straight down to us. But when it’s low, like at sunrise or sunset, the light has to go through more air, and that makes the blue light bounce around more. That's why we see reds, oranges, and purples when the sun is near the horizon.