What Color Would the Sky Be with Different Suns?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Garland220
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Sky
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The color of the sky on a planet with a red sun would primarily appear blue, albeit darker, due to Rayleigh scattering, which favors shorter wavelengths of light. In a binary star system with both a red and a blue sun, the atmospheric composition and the distance to each star would significantly influence the sky's color, potentially resulting in a faintly blue sky. The interaction of light from both stars could create complex visual effects, making the sky's appearance both spectacular and potentially hazardous.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Rayleigh scattering
  • Knowledge of atmospheric composition effects on light
  • Familiarity with binary star systems
  • Basic principles of light wavelength and color perception
NEXT STEPS
  • Research Rayleigh scattering and its impact on sky color
  • Explore atmospheric composition variations on exoplanets
  • Study the dynamics of binary star systems and their effects on planetary atmospheres
  • Investigate the visual effects of different light wavelengths on color perception
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, astrophysicists, science fiction writers, and educators interested in planetary atmospheres and light behavior in different stellar environments.

Garland220
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Ok, this is kind of a stupid question, but I was curious... If I lived on a planet that had an atmosphere, but a red sun, what color would the sky be? If I lived on a planet with two suns, one red, and one blue, what color would the sky be? I know some light is absorbed into the atmosphere and that is why it looks blue, but if there is more red light than blue would it look red, or just darker?
Sorry it's kinda dumb, but really, I'm awful curious and can't find the answer.. :)

Thanks! :)
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
No, it would look blue, just darker. The sky scatters blue light.
 
Depends on the atmospheric composition. In an Earth atmosphere, a red sun could cause the sky to be very blue - as russ noted. In a double star [blue and red component] system, the effects would be more complicated. A faintly blue sky would be my best guess, depending on the distance to the component stars. It could be a quite spectacular - and lethal combination.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
4K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
8K
  • · Replies 49 ·
2
Replies
49
Views
10K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
9K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K