Hazy sunshine: Why the smoke makes the sun look red

BOISE, ID (CBS 2) — This prolonged smoky haze had many snapping photos of a red sun either rising or setting in the sky. The smoke came from wildfires to the southwest, mostly from Northern California and South-Central Oregon.

The plumes of smoke rise into the upper atmosphere. The more unstable the atmosphere, the more quickly smoke is lifted and dispersed. From there the upper-level wind can take it aloft and exceptionally far distances: today it was as far east as the Midwest!

So many people are asking about it's effects, mainly - why does the sun look so red? The short answer is it's same reason the sky looks blue on a clear day - the absorption of sunlight.

The smoke filters out shorter wavelengths of light, leaving mostly red and orange wavelengths to shine through and be seen by the naked human eye.

The sun is also dimmer, because the smoke scatters the light, a common phenomenon for both wildfires and volcanic eruptions.

But why is this bright red sun especially vibrant in the morning and evening?

Sunset and sunrise are often most vibrant with smoke in the atmosphere because the red and orange hues are accentuated more, and in-turn more pronounced.

And this weekend's forecast looks like these smoky skies will continue to stick around.

Share your photos on our Facebook page or upload them to Chimein to possibly be featured as our Chime in Photo of the Day!

ncG1vNJzZmihlJa1sLrEsKpnm5%2BifK%2Bx1qxmpaeTlrlwtMCzsGarpaPAqbXNnmSwoKliwamxjKykqKOVYrqit8SsZK2glWLAtrqMpaaoo12nsqU%3D