Red Moon, Red Sky?

Question

I noticed the moon and sky was red tonight in Toronto, ON, Canada. Can anyone please explain to me whats happening? Some people believe unlucky events occur when this happens. Is that true?

Answer 1

No. It just depends on the size of the particles in the sky- pollution, fire ash, volcanic ash, even moisture can affect the appearent color of the moon and sometimes the sun. With a lot of particles around the same size as the wavelengths of red light it will be reflected and scattered more making things look a little more red than usual.

Answer 2

The moon's been red here in Montana for the last week or so. It's caused by all of the ash and smoke in the air from the wildfires. It may be that the smoke has drifted all the way over to Toronto! Or you might have some other type of particles in the air. It often happens here during grain harvest too because of all of the machinery in the fields and all of the dust they kick up.

Answer 3

I'll bet it was from either one of two things. One, it could have been gases or pollutants in the atmosphere that gave the sky a red haze. Another and likely answer is that there was solar activity and you saw part of an aurora in the sky. Now, as to your unlikely events thing. Theres soem truth to that, if it is an aurora. Sun storms can cause short circuiting of satellites and emp bursts on Earth. It actually rare if one can see something like this.

Answer 4

There's dust or water vapor in the air. The particles scatter red light least of all so it comes through.

For omens, red is the color of blood.

The dust may indicate the position of a storm, hence the sailor's adage:

Red sky at night, sailor's delight.
Red sky at morning, sailor take warning.

Answer 5

dust and pollution..

Answer 6

I dunno. Here's one site that claims this won't happen again until 2010?


http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast02feb_1.htm