Is the Sun Ghosting Us?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Field physics
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Earth Sun
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The forum discussion humorously explores the perception of the sun's color and its movement relative to Earth. Participants note that while the sun appears yellow or red during sunset due to atmospheric conditions, it is fundamentally white. The conversation references the Doppler effect and its influence on light perception, particularly in relation to atmospheric interference. Ultimately, the discussion concludes that the sun's apparent color changes based on its position and the Earth's atmosphere.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Doppler effect in light
  • Basic knowledge of atmospheric science
  • Familiarity with color perception and light wavelengths
  • Awareness of celestial mechanics, specifically Earth's orbit
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Doppler effect in light and its applications
  • Study atmospheric scattering and its impact on color perception
  • Explore celestial mechanics related to Earth's orbit around the sun
  • Investigate the science behind sunset colors and atmospheric conditions
USEFUL FOR

Astronomy enthusiasts, educators in physics and atmospheric science, and anyone interested in the optical phenomena related to sunlight and color perception.

Field physics
Messages
23
Reaction score
7
Just something dumb but funny to think about.
Redshift indicates the object is moving away.
The Earth orbits the sun
The sun appears to be red.
So in conclusion, the sun is running away and the Earth is chasing the sun. Lol hopefully that lightens your evening.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Office_Shredder
Physics news on Phys.org
But the sun is yellow...
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: berkeman
  • Haha
Likes   Reactions: Field physics
Office_Shredder said:
But the sun is yellow...
But ... the sun is white.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: pinball1970, DrClaude and Field physics
DaveC426913 said:
But ... the sun is white.

That's the point of the thread. The sun is white, but since it is stationary relative to the Earth it gets yellow shifted.
 
  • Haha
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: PeroK, phinds, DaveC426913 and 1 other person
berkeman said:
So you're saying our Sunlight's Doppler redshift varies with how much atmosphere it has to travel through? :wink:
No, the sun runs away in the evening which is why it goes dark at night. (Then it hides under the turtles.)
 
  • Haha
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Hornbein, Office_Shredder, Field physics and 1 other person

Similar threads

  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
6K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 38 ·
2
Replies
38
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
5K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K