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Why is the sky/clouds orange?
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| For countries along the equator, mainly south east asia, normally the sky/clouds will turn orange when it is going to rain or when it is raining. Does anyone know what causes this change in colour in the sky? Also it only happens at night when it is raining. |
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Re: Why is the sky/clouds orange?
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by
on 2007-01-11 17:22:55 |
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The color of the sky is a result of the scattering of in bound solar radiation. The normal particles in the under normal conditions scatter smaller wavelength radiation better than high wavelength. Blue is at the lower end of the visible spectrum (around .45 nanometers I believe) and so is scattered to a greater degree and makes the sky appear blue. Water molecules are relatively large and are more effective at scattering the large wavelength radiation, which would include colors like orange. Around the time of a rainstorm, the increased amount of water vapor will cause more large wavelength light to be scattered and become visible to the eye. This is similar to dusk at most latitudes, where the angle of the sun causes the light to pass through more atmosphere. A position near the equator would mean a minimal amount of atmosphere for the light to pass through, meaning minimal coloration through light scattering. This would explain the orange color, instead of a color closer to red that is common elsewhere. As for it only happening at night, I have no idea on that one.  The greatest joy is the shameful joy |
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Re: Why is the sky/clouds orange?
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by
on 2007-01-14 09:30:11 |
| I think what you're seeing is city/town lights being reflected off the bottom of the clouds. This only happens when it's raining or about to rain because that's when clouds are overhead; only at night because during the day the lights are no where near as bright as the sun. Nothing too overly-complicated about that. If it were to turn orange during the dawn/dusk Pyrrhic victory's explanation is correct. |
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Re: Why is the sky/clouds orange?
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| thanks a lot |