NC Firey sunset 001

by Flees Photos

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NC Firey sunset 001

Artist

Flees Photos

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Photograph - Home Decor And Giclee Wall Art By Chris Flees

Description

A fiery-looking sunset is typically caused by the scattering of sunlight by particles and molecules in the Earth's atmosphere. Here's how it works:

Rayleigh Scattering: This is the most common reason for the blue color of the sky and the red colors of sunrise and sunset. Rayleigh scattering occurs when sunlight interacts with gas molecules and small particles in the atmosphere. Shorter blue wavelengths are scattered more strongly than longer red wavelengths, causing the sky to appear blue. During sunrise and sunset, when the sun is low on the horizon, sunlight must pass through a greater thickness of the atmosphere, causing more scattering of shorter wavelengths and allowing more of the longer, red wavelengths to reach our eyes, resulting in the characteristic red and orange hues.

Atmospheric Particles: Dust, pollution, and other particles in the atmosphere can enhance the scattering effect, leading to more vibrant and intense colors during sunrise and sunset. These particles can scatter and refract sunlight, creating a range of colors from yellows and oranges to pinks and purples.

Clouds: Clouds can also play a significant role in creating a fiery sunset. When the sun is low on the horizon, it can illuminate clouds from below, creating a stunning display of colors as the sunlight interacts with the water droplets or ice crystals in the clouds.

Weather Conditions: Weather patterns and conditions can influence the appearance of sunsets. For example, high humidity levels can lead to more vivid colors due to increased scattering of light, while clear, dry conditions may result in less intense sunsets.

In summary, a combination of factors including atmospheric scattering, particles, clouds, and weather conditions contribute to the fiery appearance of sunsets. Each sunset can be unique depending on the specific conditions present in the atmosphere at that time.

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February 14th, 2024

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