Why does the moon turn red and orange-ish at certain times during the year and or night?
2006-07-29 16:12:57 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
I just saw it and decided to come on here to get an answer!
2006-07-29 16:17:16 · update #1
When the moon is lower in the sky you are seeing it through Earth's atmosphere which colors it like a colored lens. It's the same effect you see at sunset when the sun is near the horizon.
2006-07-29 16:16:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Particles in the Earth's atmosphere absorb higher frequencies of light, leaving the lower frequency reds behind. When the moon is setting or the sun is setting, the light has to pass through more atmospheric particles because it's at an angle (from your point of view).
If you get a big clear jar, fill it with fresh water, and then get a flashlight and shine it through the water, you can simulate sunlight. If you get some milk and add it drop by drop to the water, the light from the flashlight will get reddish, just light a sunset. The milk particles added to the water are like the particles in the atmosphere.
2006-07-29 23:33:16 · answer #2 · answered by Sci Nerd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The moon is sort of grayish color. It can get more or less sunlight depending on its orbital position. It doesn't change color.
When the moon is seen as colored, then it is being colored by the atmosphere of the Earth. This can be from refraction or particulates in the air that reflect different colors. One of the only benefits of air pollution is that it can make the moon look beautiful.
:- D do you like the song "Blue Moon." I do. there are hundreds of songs about the moon. It is so romantic don't you think?
2006-07-29 23:22:47 · answer #3 · answered by China Jon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This happens when the moon is low in the horizon. Our curved atmosphere acts as a sort of lense which refracts the light making it look larger and appearing red or orange.
2006-07-31 10:13:02 · answer #4 · answered by Tim C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe this phenomenon occurs has something to do with light refracture. As sometime the moon appears to be "bigger" at different location because of the horizon. The curvature of light causes an illusion to make the moon appear bigger than it really is, sort of like putting a magnifying glass over it.
I am not too keen on this but it has relevant, hope this helps.
2006-07-29 23:19:24 · answer #5 · answered by Bob 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It happens when the Sun Rays pass through the earth's atmosphere. The earth's atmosphere acts like a Prism and the moon becomes the background screen.
2006-07-29 23:54:45 · answer #6 · answered by R G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
orientation to the sun. Like at sunset, when only a fraction of the sun's light is able to penetrate the atmosphere, it appears yellow then orange then red.
2006-07-29 23:15:22 · answer #7 · answered by Plasmapuppy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds stupid, but my aunt used to always say that the moon is a woman, and just like any woman she has to change her clothes a lot. So it's just one of the moon's outfits.
2006-07-29 23:20:59 · answer #8 · answered by Candice F 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Atmospheric variations, not the moon!
2006-07-29 23:15:17 · answer #9 · answered by tattie_herbert 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's because of the moon and space dust in space.
2006-07-29 23:17:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋