At sunset, the sun is low in the sky, so its light has to travel a longer path through Earth’s atmosphere. This makes the blue and violet light scatter more, leaving behind reds and oranges, like when you look at a glass of water with food coloring and see the colors separate.
Examples
- When you look at a glass of water with food coloring, the colors separate, just like the sky during a sunset.
- A red apple looks even redder when the sun is low in the sky, because red light travels straight to your eyes.
- During cloudy days, the clouds act like filters, making the sky appear pink or orange.
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See also
- What Causes the ‘Color’ of the Sky During Sunrise and Sunset?
- What Causes a ‘Golden’ Sunset or Sunrise?
- What Makes the Sky Change Colors at Night?
- What Causes the ‘Pink Sky’ at Sunrise?
- What Causes a Sunset to Look More Dramatic in Certain Places?
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