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NatureChapter 1 of 5

Why the Sky Turns Red at Sunset

First, Why Is the Sky Blue?

Every evening, the sky puts on a show. Here is the simple science behind those fiery colors.

A vivid red and orange sunset over a calm ocean
AI-generated image

To understand red sunsets, it helps to start with a blue sky.

Sunlight looks white, but it is really a mix of all the colors of the rainbow.

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As sunlight travels through the air, it bumps into tiny gas molecules. These scatter blue light much more than red light.

That scattered blue light reaches our eyes from every direction, so the whole sky looks blue.

Continue reading: Chapter 2 of 5 →