About atmosphere light absorbtion

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the visibility of the atmosphere and clouds during day and night, specifically questioning why the atmosphere appears visible in sunlight but not when artificial light is directed at it at night. Participants explore the nature of light absorption and scattering in the atmosphere.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about why the atmosphere and clouds are visible during the day due to sunlight but not at night when artificial light is used.
  • Another participant notes that "air" is transparent to visible light, implying that the atmosphere does not respond to light in the same way at night.
  • A different participant suggests that the amount of scattered radiation during the daytime is significantly greater than at night, which may explain the visibility difference.
  • Another participant counters that clouds can be seen at night if light is directed towards them, providing examples of searchlights illuminating clouds.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the visibility of the atmosphere and clouds at night, with multiple competing views presented regarding the effects of light scattering and the nature of atmospheric visibility.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the conditions under which light scattering occurs and the specific properties of the atmosphere that affect visibility at different times of day.

praveena
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Hi pf,

I am having a basic doubt.Even this may be a silly question.sorry for that.While in the morning due to sun's light we can able to see our atmosphere and also clouds.But at night even when we foccused a large amount of light towards the space. why can we able to see the atmosphere or clouds?why does the atmosphere not responding to the light at night?
 
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praveena said:
While in the morning due to sun's light we can able to see our atmosphere and also clouds.
"Clouds?" Yes. "Thin air?" No.
praveena said:
But at night even when we foccused a large amount of light towards the space. why can we able to see the atmosphere or clouds?why does the atmosphere not responding to the light at night?
"Air" is transparent to visible light.
 
praveena said:
Hi pf,

I am having a basic doubt.Even this may be a silly question.sorry for that.While in the morning due to sun's light we can able to see our atmosphere and also clouds.But at night even when we foccused a large amount of light towards the space. why can we able to see the atmosphere or clouds?why does the atmosphere not responding to the light at night?
The amount of scattered radiation during the daytime when the sun is present is vastly greater than the amount of scattered radiation at night.

Chet
 
thank u
 

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