Sky Shade Shift: Does Color Change at Latitudes & Altitudes?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter one_raven
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Shift Sky
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around whether the shade of blue in the sky changes at different latitudes and altitudes on Earth. Participants explore the effects of atmospheric conditions, solar altitude, and scattering of light, while seeking to understand variations in sky color under identical conditions across different locations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the shade of blue in the sky can change with local weather conditions and the altitude of the sun, but express uncertainty about whether this constitutes a definitive answer to the original question.
  • One participant questions if the shade of the sky would be the same at noon on a clear day at the equator compared to the North or South Pole, under identical conditions.
  • Another participant notes that the altitude of the sun at noon varies significantly between the equator and the poles, which could influence the perceived color of the sky.
  • A separate line of inquiry raises questions about why the Earth does not appear blue from space and why distant objects on Earth do not exhibit a blue haze, despite the presence of a blue sky.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether the shade of blue in the sky changes with latitude and altitude, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge that variations in atmospheric conditions and solar angles may influence perceptions of sky color, but the discussion does not resolve the specific impacts of latitude and altitude under identical conditions.

one_raven
Messages
200
Reaction score
0
I'm not sure which sub-forums this should go in...

Does the shade of blue that the sky appears to be change at all at differing lattitudes on Earth?
What about different altitudes?
If so, how much?
Any links to specific info?

Thanks for any input you have.
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
Well, it does change with local weather conditions and the altitude of the sun. I'm not sure if I consider that a "yes" or not...
 
I know that the shade of the sky can vary widely in different atmospheric conditions.
What I am wondering is if it would var at different lattitudes under identical conditions.
If you look up at noon on a clear dry day at the equator would it be the same shade as if you looked up at noon at the North or South Pole at noon on a clear dry day?
 
Well the altitude of the Sun at noon at those latitudes would have its effect. At the equator the Sun at noon never gets more than 23+ degrees from straight overhead. At the poles, it never gets more than that above the horizon at noon.
 
On a similar note...
I am curious...
If the sky is blue due to the scattering of sunlight by the air molecules, then:
1.) Why doesn't the Earth look blue from space? The water looks blue, sure, but I would expect there to be at least a slight blue haze over the land and clouds.
2.) Why, when looking off many miles into the distance on Earth, objects don't have a blue haze? Why is there a blue sky, but no blue "wall"?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
5K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
5K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
5K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K