Sky: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{otheruses}} |
{{otheruses}} |
||
[[Image:Skyshot.jpg|thumb|200px|right|When seen from [[altitude]], as here from an [[airplane]], the sky's [[color]] varies from pale to dark at elevations approaching the [[zenith]]]] |
[[Image:Skyshot.jpg|thumb|200px|right|When seen from [[altitude]], as here from an [[airplane]], the sky's [[color]] varies from pale to dark at elevations approaching the [[zenith]]]] |
||
[[Image:Turbulent skies.jpg|thumb|190px|right|Turbulent skies]] |
[[Image:Turbulent skies.jpg|thumb|190px|right|Turbulent skies]] |
||
| Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
[[Image:Sunset02.jpg|thumb|190px|right|Clouds made [[Orange (colour)|orange]] by a sunset]] |
[[Image:Sunset02.jpg|thumb|190px|right|Clouds made [[Orange (colour)|orange]] by a sunset]] |
||
The '''sky''' is the part of the [[atmosphere]] or of [[outer space]] visible from the surface of any [[astronomical object]]. It is difficult to define precisely for several reasons. During [[daylight]] the sky of [[Earth]] has the appearance of a deep [[blue]] surface, as the result of the [[air]]'s [[scattering]] of [[sunlight]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Tyndall |first=John |authorlink=John Tyndall |year=1868 |month=December |title=On the Blue Colour of the Sky, the Polarization of Skylight, and on the Polarization of Light by Cloudy Matter Generally |journal=[[Proceedings of the Royal Society of London]] |volume=17 |pages=pp. 223-233 |url=http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0370-1662%281868%2F1869%2917%3C223%3AOTBCOT%3E2.0.CO%3B2-X&size=LARGE}} </ref><ref> {{cite journal |last=Rayleigh |first=Lord|authorlink=Lord Rayleigh |year=1871 |month=June |title=On the scattering of light by small particles |journal=[[Philosophical Magazine]] |volume=41, 275 |pages=pp. 447-451}} </ref><ref> {{cite journal |last=Watson |first=JG |year=2002 |month=June |title=Visibility: Science and Regulation |journal=J. Air & Waste Manage. Assoc |volume=52 |pages=pp. 628-713 |url=http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&lr=&q=cache:aulPiqN6uTUJ:www.awma.org/journal/pdfs/2002/6/Crit_Review.pdf+ |accessdate = 2007-04-19}} </ref><ref>[http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/General/BlueSky/blue_sky.html Why is the sky Blue?<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The sky is sometimes defined as the denser [[gas]]eous zone of a [[planet]]'s [[celestial body's atmosphere|atmosphere]]. At night the sky has the appearance of a black surface or region scattered with [[star]]s. |
The '''sky''' is the part of the [[atmosphere]] or of [[outer space]] visible from the surface of any [[astronomical object]]. It is difficult to define precisely for several reasons. During [[daylight]] the sky of [[Earth]] has the appearance of a deep [[blue]] surface, as the result of the [[air]]'s [[scattering]] of [[sunlight]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Tyndall |first=John |authorlink=John Tyndall |year=1868 |month=December |title=On the Blue Colour of the Sky, the Polarization of Skylight, and on the Polarization of Light by Cloudy Matter Generally |journal=[[Proceedings of the Royal Society of London]] |volume=17 |pages=pp. 223-233 |url=http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0370-1662%281868%2F1869%2917%3C223%3AOTBCOT%3E2.0.CO%3B2-X&size=LARGE}} </ref><ref> {{cite journal |last=Rayleigh |first=Lord|authorlink=Lord Rayleigh |year=1871 |month=June |title=On the scattering of light by small particles |journal=[[Philosophical Magazine]] |volume=41, 275 |pages=pp. 447-451}} </ref><ref> {{cite journal |last=Watson |first=JG |year=2002 |month=June |title=Visibility: Science and Regulation |journal=J. Air & Waste Manage. Assoc |volume=52 |pages=pp. 628-713 |url=http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&lr=&q=cache:aulPiqN6uTUJ:www.awma.org/journal/pdfs/2002/6/Crit_Review.pdf+ |accessdate = 2007-04-19}} </ref><ref>[http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/General/BlueSky/blue_sky.html Why is the sky Blue?<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The sky is sometimes defined as the denser [[gas]]eous zone of a [[planet]]'s [[celestial body's atmosphere|atmosphere]]. At night the sky has the appearance of a black surface or region scattered with [[star]]s.{{citation needed}} |
||
During the day the [[Sun]] can be seen in the sky, unless covered by [[cloud]]s. In the [[night sky]] (and to some extent during the day) the [[moon]], [[planet]]s and [[star]]s are visible in the sky. Some of the [[natural]] phenomena seen in the sky are [[cloud]]s, [[rainbow]]s, and [[Polar Aurora|aurorae]]. [[Lightning]] and [[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] can also be seen in the sky during [[storm]]s. On [[Earth]], [[bird]]s, [[insect]]s, [[aircraft]], and [[kite flying|kite]]s are often considered to [[Flight|fly]] in the sky. As a result of [[human]] activities, [[smog]] during the day and light radiance during the night are often seen above large [[city|cities]] (see also [[light pollution]]). |
During the day the [[Sun]] can be seen in the sky, unless covered by [[cloud]]s.{{citation needed}} In the [[night sky]] (and to some extent during the day) the [[moon]], [[planet]]s and [[star]]s are visible in the sky.{{citation needed}} Some of the [[natural]] phenomena seen in the sky are [[cloud]]s, [[rainbow]]s, and [[Polar Aurora|aurorae]].{{citation needed}} [[Lightning]] and [[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] can also be seen in the sky during [[storm]]s.{{citation needed}} On [[Earth]], [[bird]]s, [[insect]]s, [[aircraft]], and [[kite flying|kite]]s are often considered to [[Flight|fly]] in the sky.{{citation needed}} As a result of [[human]] activities, [[smog]] during the day and light radiance during the night are often seen above large [[city|cities]] (see also [[light pollution]]).{{citation needed}} |
||
In the field of [[astronomy]], the sky is also called the [[celestial sphere]]. This is an imaginary dome where the [[sun]], [[star]]s, [[planet]]s, and the [[moon]] are seen to be travelling. The celestial sphere is divided into regions called [[constellation]]s. |
In the field of [[astronomy]], the sky is also called the [[celestial sphere]].{{citation needed}} This is an imaginary dome where the [[sun]], [[star]]s, [[planet]]s, and the [[moon]] are seen to be travelling. The celestial sphere is divided into regions called [[constellation]]s.{{citation needed}} |
||
See [[skies of other planets]] for descriptions of the skies of various planets and moons in the [[solar system]]. |
See [[skies of other planets]] for descriptions of the skies of various planets and moons in the [[solar system]].{{citation needed}} |
||
<!-- I feel pretty....GREEK -->== Sky luminance and colors == |
<!-- I feel pretty....GREEK -->== Sky luminance and colors == |
||
The light from the sky is a result of the [[diffuse sky radiation|scattering]] of sunlight, which results in a light blue [[color]] perceived by the human eye. On a sunny day [[Rayleigh Scattering]] gives the sky a blue [[Image gradient|gradient]] — dark in the [[zenith]], light near the [[horizon]]. Light that comes in from overhead encounters an air mass 1/38th of the mass that of a sunbeam coming along a horizon paths. So, fewer particles scatter the zenith sunbeam, and, therefore the light remains a darker blue.<ref>[http://weatherquesting.com/bluer-on-top.htm Why is the sky bluer on top than at the horizon]</ref> |
The light from the sky is a result of the [[diffuse sky radiation|scattering]] of sunlight, which results in a light blue [[color]] perceived by the human eye. On a sunny day [[Rayleigh Scattering]] gives the sky a blue [[Image gradient|gradient]] — dark in the [[zenith]], light near the [[horizon]]. Light that comes in from overhead encounters an air mass 1/38th of the mass that of a sunbeam coming along a horizon paths. So, fewer particles scatter the zenith sunbeam, and, therefore the light remains a darker blue.<ref>[http://weatherquesting.com/bluer-on-top.htm Why is the sky bluer on top than at the horizon]</ref> |
||
The sky can turn a multitude of colors such as red, orange and yellow (especially near [[sunset]] or [[sunrise]]) and black at [[night]]. Scattering effects also partially [[polarization|polarize]] light from the sky. |
The sky can turn a multitude of colors such as red, orange and yellow (especially near [[sunset]] or [[sunrise]]) and black at [[night]].{{citation needed}} Scattering effects also partially [[polarization|polarize]] light from the sky.{{citation needed}} |
||
Sky [[luminance]] distribution models have been recommended by the [[International Commission on Illumination]] (CIE) for the design of [[daylighting]] schemes. Recent developments relate to “all sky models” for modelling sky [[luminance]] under [[weather]] conditions ranging from clear sky to [[overcast]].<ref>{{PDFlink|[http://www.esim.ca/2002/documents/Proceedings/other2.pdf CIE General Sky Standard Defining Luminance Distributions]|710 [[Kibibyte|KiB]]<!-- application/pdf, 727333 bytes -->}}</ref> |
Sky [[luminance]] distribution models have been recommended by the [[International Commission on Illumination]] (CIE) for the design of [[daylighting]] schemes. Recent developments relate to “all sky models” for modelling sky [[luminance]] under [[weather]] conditions ranging from clear sky to [[overcast]].<ref>{{PDFlink|[http://www.esim.ca/2002/documents/Proceedings/other2.pdf CIE General Sky Standard Defining Luminance Distributions]|710 [[Kibibyte|KiB]]<!-- application/pdf, 727333 bytes -->}}</ref> |
||
Revision as of 09:25, 27 May 2008
The sky is the part of the atmosphere or of outer space visible from the surface of any astronomical object. It is difficult to define precisely for several reasons. During daylight the sky of Earth has the appearance of a deep blue surface, as the result of the air's scattering of sunlight.[1][2][3][4] The sky is sometimes defined as the denser gaseous zone of a planet's atmosphere. At night the sky has the appearance of a black surface or region scattered with stars.[citation needed]
During the day the Sun can be seen in the sky, unless covered by clouds.[citation needed] In the night sky (and to some extent during the day) the moon, planets and stars are visible in the sky.[citation needed] Some of the natural phenomena seen in the sky are clouds, rainbows, and aurorae.[citation needed] Lightning and precipitation can also be seen in the sky during storms.[citation needed] On Earth, birds, insects, aircraft, and kites are often considered to fly in the sky.[citation needed] As a result of human activities, smog during the day and light radiance during the night are often seen above large cities (see also light pollution).[citation needed]
In the field of astronomy, the sky is also called the celestial sphere.[citation needed] This is an imaginary dome where the sun, stars, planets, and the moon are seen to be travelling. The celestial sphere is divided into regions called constellations.[citation needed]
See skies of other planets for descriptions of the skies of various planets and moons in the solar system.[citation needed]
Sky luminance and colors
The light from the sky is a result of the scattering of sunlight, which results in a light blue color perceived by the human eye. On a sunny day Rayleigh Scattering gives the sky a blue gradient — dark in the zenith, light near the horizon. Light that comes in from overhead encounters an air mass 1/38th of the mass that of a sunbeam coming along a horizon paths. So, fewer particles scatter the zenith sunbeam, and, therefore the light remains a darker blue.[5]
The sky can turn a multitude of colors such as red, orange and yellow (especially near sunset or sunrise) and black at night.[citation needed] Scattering effects also partially polarize light from the sky.[citation needed]
Sky luminance distribution models have been recommended by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) for the design of daylighting schemes. Recent developments relate to “all sky models” for modelling sky luminance under weather conditions ranging from clear sky to overcast.[6]
Dark Skies
Dark Skies is the name usually given to the campaign to reduce and eventually eliminate light pollution from as much of the planet as possible. The campaign is led by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) and supported by organizations in many countries such as The Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand - RASNZ and Dark Sky Taonga. Light pollution is defined by the IDA as; "Any adverse effect of artificial light including sky glow, glare, light trespass, light clutter, decreased visibility at night, and energy waste.
See also
- Air
- Diffuse sky radiation — Why the sky is blue.
- Sky brightness
- Skygazing
References
- ^ Tyndall, John (1868). "On the Blue Colour of the Sky, the Polarization of Skylight, and on the Polarization of Light by Cloudy Matter Generally". Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. 17: pp. 223-233.
{{cite journal}}:|pages=has extra text (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Rayleigh, Lord (1871). "On the scattering of light by small particles". Philosophical Magazine. 41, 275: pp. 447-451.
{{cite journal}}:|pages=has extra text (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Watson, JG (2002). "Visibility: Science and Regulation". J. Air & Waste Manage. Assoc. 52: pp. 628-713. Retrieved 2007-04-19.
{{cite journal}}:|pages=has extra text (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Why is the sky Blue?
- ^ Why is the sky bluer on top than at the horizon
- ^ Template:PDFlink
External links
