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MrJimH
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Why is the sky polarized?
Phyisab**** said:Are you sure light from the sky is polarized? I'm not sure how this would happen given the isotropic and random nature of the atmosphere.
Or any clear day, year round. Just look in a direction 90 degrees away from the sun to get the maximum effect.VanOosten said:yes try it out with some polarized sun glasses on a clear summer day its quite neat.
DaveC426913 said:Well, if the sky weren't polarized, then a polarizing filter on your SLR would not be much use in darking the sky.
VanOosten said:yes try it out with some polarized sun glasses on a clear summer day its quite neat. the full explanation of how is described quite well here http://www.polarization.com/sky/sky.html
MrJimH said:Why is the sky polarized?
How is this not an indication of polarization?Integral said:This is not an indication of polarization. You will get that effect with circularly polarized light. Read Redbelly's reply.
Integral said:If you rotate your cameras polarizing filter by 90deg you will not see a change in the intensity of the light emerging.
The sky appears polarized due to the scattering of light by particles in the atmosphere. As sunlight enters the Earth's atmosphere, it collides with various particles such as dust, water droplets, and gases. This scattering causes the light to vibrate in a particular direction, making the sky appear polarized.
The polarization of the sky can have various effects on us. For example, it can impact how we perceive colors and brightness, as well as the visibility of objects in the sky such as the sun, moon, and stars. It can also impact the behavior of some animals and insects that use polarization for navigation or communication.
No, the polarization of the sky is not constant and can vary depending on factors such as the time of day, weather conditions, and the angle of the sun. For example, the sky is more polarized near the horizon during sunrise and sunset, while it is less polarized when the sun is directly overhead.
Yes, we can see the polarization of the sky with our naked eyes, although it may not be obvious to everyone. Some people may be more sensitive to polarized light and may notice subtle differences in the sky's appearance. However, specialized equipment such as polarizing filters or sunglasses can make the polarization more visible.
The polarization of the sky is not directly related to climate change. However, changes in the atmosphere, such as increased pollution or changes in cloud cover, can affect the scattering of light and therefore impact the polarization of the sky. Studying the polarization of the sky can also provide valuable information for understanding and monitoring atmospheric changes related to climate change.