x
Breaking News
More () »

Why are Arizona sunsets so colorful?

What determines the colors of the sunset.
Arizona Sunset

The colors of sunset are determined by "scattering". Small particles, like dust, and molecules in the atmosphere, change the direction of light, causing them to scatter.

Scattering affects the color of light coming from the sky but the exact color has more to do with wavelength of the light and the size of the particles.

All wavelengths of light are scattered but not all wavelengths are scattered equally.

Blue and violet have a short wavelength that is scattered more easily by molecules than other colors on the spectrum.

Sunlight during a sunset of sunrise has a lot more air to travel through since the sun is low on the horizon.

This means it also has more molecules to scatter blue and violet light away from our eyes, and out of our line of sight. The other colors on the spectrum continue on their way to our eyes. This is why the sunsets often are red, orange, and yellow.

Pollution and dust particles, from our infamous Monsoon dust storms, can enhance the colors of Arizona sunsets causing them to look more "red" than usual.

Before You Leave, Check This Out