Why Is the Sky Blue?

Look up! Look up! What do you see? A big blue sky, as blue as can be! But sunlight looks white up in space So where does the blue come from in this place?

Why is the sky blue, not green, not red? Why is it blue hanging over your head? Why is the sky blue, not green, not red? Let me tell you what the scientists said!

White light is a secret, a trick, a surprise It's ALL of the colors hidden inside! Red, orange, yellow, green, blue — every one They're all mixed together inside the sun!

Scatter! Scatter! Bounce around! Blue light bounces all over town! Scatter! Scatter! Everywhere! Blue light bouncing through the air!

When sunlight hits the tiny bits of air The colors don't all bounce — and here's what's rare: Blue light bounces every which way That's why the sky is blue all day!

Scatter! Scatter! Bounce around! Blue light bounces all over town! Scatter! Scatter! Everywhere! Blue light bouncing through the air!

Red light? It flies straight on through Orange and yellow? They do that too But blue light bounces left and right And fills the sky with blue blue light!

How do we know? How do we know? Newton took a prism — watch the show! He shone white light through a piece of glass And a rainbow came out as the light beam passed!

All the colors hiding inside Came spreading out from side to side! White light is a rainbow packed up tight And blue bounces most — now THAT'S a sight!

Scatter! Scatter! Bounce around! Blue light bounces all over town! Scatter! Scatter! Everywhere! Blue light bouncing through the air!

And here's a bonus — at the end of day The blue light scatters SO far away What's left? The red! The orange glow! That's why sunsets put on such a show!