Why Is the Sky Blue?

Why is the sky blue and not purple, green or orange? It's all because of how the Sun's light reaches Earth!
Comprehension Questions:
1. You can separate and see all the colors in white light if you shine sunlight through a specially shaped crystal called a _________.
2. True or False: Particles of dust, pollution, or smoke in the air can cause the whole sky to glow red.
3. Why do we only see blue light when we look up on a sunny day?
4. In what pattern does light travel?
Answer Key:
1. Prism
2. True
3. Blue light is scattered more than the other colors because it travels as shorter, smaller waves.
4. Waves
Learn more at
spaceplace.nasa.gov/blue-sky/
Find more fun videos, games, and articles about space and Earth science at spaceplace.nasa.gov/
Voiceover provided by NASA scientist Dr. Moogega Stricker