Why do sunsets and sunrises look so different? Isn’t it technically the same thing?
In: Earth Science
Sunlight can make some kinds of pollution (often from cars, which are used more during the day) react to form very fine particles in the air. These build up over the course of the day and result in more light scattering, which is why sunsets tend to be more visually impressive. During the night, these particles settle or get blown away, so the air is more clear in the morning.
ELI15: nitrogen oxides from combustion and volatile organic compounds react in the presence of sunlight to form photochemical smog, which scatters light and makes the air hazy. This can also happen with natural sources of chemicals, like terpenes from conifers in the Great Smoky Mountains, so it’s not always linked to pollution.
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