Why is the sunrise/ sunset red?
The answer to why the sunrise/sunset is red is very similar to why the sky is blue. Due to Rayleigh scattering, light from the Sun bounces off tiny particles in the atmosphere and scatters in different directions. Since blue light has the shortest wavelength, it is scattered more effectively which makes the sky blue most of the time. Red light has a longer wavelength, making it noticeable only when the sun is low on the horizon; light rays must pass through more of the atmosphere which means they bounce off more molecules. Therefore, red light scatters all other colours away as it hits our eyes. Darker shades of the sunrise or sunset are a result of pollution and dust. Another related fact is: when you can't see the sunrise or sunset it means clouds are covering the light.
Related Links:
http://www.howitworksdaily.com/environment/question-of-the-day-%EF%BB%BFwhy-does-the-sky-look-red-at-sunrise-and-sunset/
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_does_the_sun_look_orange_at_sunset_and_sunrise
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-06-29/open-space/27215085_1_red-light-sunrise-and-sunset-sky
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