University of Illinois
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign: Light and Optics
Rainbows and sunsets are called "atmospheric optics". They can be caused by light being absorbed, reflected, scattered, refracted, or diffracted by particles in the atmosphere. Learn all about different atmospheric optics along with...
Other
Atmospheric Optics
Instead of just ooohing and aaahing over that beautiful sunset, impress your loved ones with an insightful and informed explanation of just what makes sunsets so interesting, and they will oooh and aaah at you too! At this site, you'll...
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Atmospheric Optics Concepts
This physics department site features an indexing page for a variety of pages pertaining to atmospheric optics. Topics include rainbows, halos, auroras, mirages, star twinkling, sunsets, green flashes, coronas, and more. Excellent...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Light Waves and Color: Blue Skies and Red Sunsets
Students will focus on the interaction of sunlight with atmospheric particles to produce blue skies and red sunsets.
BioEd Online
Bio Ed Online: Rainbow in the Room
Students investigate the properties of visible light and the sequence of colors in the spectrum using light shone through water and prisms. The lesson and accompanying slideshow can both be downloaded.
Florida State University
Florida State University: Magnet Lab: Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization (Appi)
In the APPI technique, UV light photons are used to ionize sample molecules.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: The Sun's Corona (Upper Atmosphere)
The corona is the outer atmosphere of the Sun and is hidden by the bright light of the Sun's surface.
Geography 4 kids
Geography4 kids.com: Interactions in the Atmosphere
The atmosphere interacts with ultraviolet light and incoming radiation as featured in this text.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Scattering Concepts
A collection of several pages explaining the principles which underlie Rayleigh scattering of light.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Prisms
This physics department site explains how prisms work and their purpose in the dispersion of light. Explains the angle of deviation and includes an interactive form in which visitors calculate the angle of deviation and receive immediate...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Spectroscopy
Students learn how using a spectrograph helps us understand the composition of light sources. Using simple materials and holographic diffraction gratings (available online at a variety of sites, including Edmund Scientifics and the...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: What Is an Aurora?
Why do we see those stunning lights in the northern- and southernmost portions of the night sky? Michael Molina explains every step of the dazzling phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis. [4:10]
Enchanted Learning
Enchanted Learning: The Earth's Atmosphere
The Earth's atmosphere is a thin layer of gases that surrounds the Earth. It composed of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.9% argon, 0.03% carbon dioxide, and trace amounts of other gases. This thin gaseous layer insulates the Earth from...
Science Struck
Science Struck: Facts About the Thermosphere
Learn facts about the thermosphere, one of the five layers of the atmosphere.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: About Rainbows
This site from the University Corporation of Atmospheric Research provides an illustrated article about the phenomenon of rainbows.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Electromagnetic Energy in the Atmosphere
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Overview of electromagnetic radiation.
University of Iowa
University of Iowa: Small Comets
This site provides extensive information on the controversial theory that there are millions of small comets which continually burn up yearly in the earth's atmosphere.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Observatory Satellite Measures Motion of Coronal Mass Ejection
The sun sometimes releases huge bursts of electrified gases into space. These bursts are called coronal mass ejections (or CMEs). When CMEs are directed towards Earth they can generate auroras, the spectacular atmospheric displays also...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Above the Clouds: Telescopes on Mauna Kea
This video segment adapted from First Light explains why the highest peak in the Pacific, Mauna Kea, is an ideal site for astronomical observations. Featured are new telescope technologies that allow astronomers to explore the universe...
National Gallery of Art
National Gallery of Art: The Elements of Art: Color
Young scholars will be introduced to color, one of the basic elements of art, through analysis of works of art by Monet, Matisse, and Kandinsky. Class discussion focused on these paintings will help students understand how artists use...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Blue Skies and Red Sunsets
This high school resource shows how the blue of the skies and the red of the sunsets can be explained by the interaction of sunlight with atmospheric particles which causes scattering of light.
Other
Astrophysics Institute Potsdam (Aip): An Ultraviolet Space Observatory
A discussion of ultraviolet light and its interaction with the atmosphere. Describes the UV detectors on a spacecraft which are used to study the UV light emissions from astronomical bodies.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Why Is the Sky Blue?
Students will learn about refraction and the scattering of sunlight as it enters the atmosphere, which causes the colors in light to separate, giving us blue skies and colorful sunrises and sunsets.
PBS
Nova Teachers: Einstein Revealed: What's Your Wavelength: Classroom Activity
Investigate the wavelength properties of visible light and the scattering effects of the earth's atmosphere on different wavelengths.