Learn more about Rayleigh scattering
There is a deep sense of peace that can be felt when you are the only one on the water early in the morning. On this particular day, I was kayaking on Eagle Creek Reservoir in Indianapolis. From what I could see, I was the only person on the lake. The water was absolutely still, which turned the lake from a body of water into a mirror of the sky. I had been paddling for about fifteen minutes when the sun began to rise. I stopped to soak in the early rays and to take this photo.
A sunrise is one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring natural phenomena. And while it may seem like a simple matter of the sun rising in the sky, there is actually a lot of science involved in this daily event. For starters, the sun doesn't actually move; it's the earth that's spinning on its axis. This spinning motion causes the earth to slowly tilt away from the sun, until finally the sun appears to rise above the horizon. But why does the sun appear red during a sunrise? This is due to Rayleigh scattering, which is when light is scattered by particles that are much smaller than the wavelength of the light. The red light waves are scattered more than other colors because they have a longer wavelength. So, the next time you witness a sunrise, remember all of the fascinating science that is happening behind the scenes!
Have you ever wondered why the sky looks blue during the day? It's also thanks to Rayleigh scattering! When sunlight hits the atmosphere, blue light is scattered more than other colors because it travels in smaller and shorter waves. This blue light is then visible from all directions, giving the sky its characteristic color.
Take a Closer Look
On this morning, the sunrise was made even more extraordinary by the cirrus clouds that created a haze for the sunlight to come through. Cirrus clouds are high, thin, wispy clouds that form at high altitudes- typically above 20,000 feet. They are made up of ice crystals and are very thin, often appearing as if they are made of string or hair. Cirrus clouds are usually white or pale blue in color and are often blown into long streaks by the wind. cirrus clouds generally form when the air is stable and the atmosphere is dry. When the air is unstable or moist, cirrus clouds can turn into cumulonimbus clouds, which can produce thunderstorms. Cirrus clouds are often a sign of fair weather, but they can also indicate that a storm is on its way. On this day, they were certainly a harbinger of beautiful weather.
Every once in a while, we need to stop to take in the beauty of this natural event. Sunrise kayaking on Eagle Creek Reservoir is definitely a must-do experience! If you're ever in Indianapolis, be sure to check it out!
Sunrise kayaking is a must do experience
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