Why is the Moon.............?

Question

Last night the moon was bright orange. Why does the moon sometimes look orange? I have noticed that it usually does this when it is low on the horizon and full.

Answer 1

When the moon is low in the horizon, the light has to travel through a thicker layer of atmosphere. Imagine that light travels through a glass pane. It would travel through a thicker layer of glass if it were to enter at an angle than head-on.

This thicker layer of the atmosphere will dispere the light reflected off the moon (sunlight). So, the same effect that makes the sun red at sunrise and sunset causes the moon to glow with a yellowish light at the same point.

The effect is enhanced by any large concentration of particles in the air, like dust, volcanic ash, and city air pollution. The enhancement will cause the moon to glow bright orange.

Answer 2

the same reason why the sunset and sunrise is red
during sunset and sunrise the distance the light traveling from the sun to the earth has to cover a greater distance (the sun is actually below the line of view but due to atmospheric refraction we can still see it). therefor the colours in the vibgyor with a comparatively smaller wavelength get scattered, thus only colours like red, yellow and orange reach your eyes.
this same phenomenon take place when the full moon is at the horizon.

Answer 3

In the case of Los Angeles, where I live, the anything that's low on the horizon looks a big orange-red due to the intervening oxides of nitrogen. Smog.

Answer 4

Check out this source... look to the part about 'why the sunset is red' it is the applicable portion.

Ultimately it is how the light scatters in the atmosphere.

Answer 5

because the light reflecting from the moon travels throw the Earth's atmosphere thicker by that time.

Answer 6

Earth's atmosphere and associated particles & pollutants , gasses etc. is what gives moonlight its color..

Answer 7

due to climatic changes.