Earth's Blue Hues: Exploring the Science

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In summary, the Earth appears blue (mostly) when observed from outside because blue light is more energetic than red and lower wavelength, and processes on Earth suggest that higher energy light is absorbed and eventually radiated away as infrared and lower wavelength. The Earth does not look red when seen from outside because the reflected light is not blackbody radiation, but rather reflected light that is seen in visible light cameras. On the sunlight side of Earth, a high proportion of incoming light is reflected away and does not interact. This is due to the surface of the Earth consisting of mainly water, which reflects bluer light and absorbs more red.
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Why does the Earth appear blue (mostly) when observed from outside.
Blue light is more energetic than red and lower wavelength.
Processes which happen on Earth seem to suggest that higher energy light arriving should be absorbed in one way or another and eventually some of it radiated away in infrared and lower wavelength.
Why does the Earth not look red when seen from outside?
 
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What does Earth's surface consist of? The reflected light is not blackbody radiation, it is reflected light.
 
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As Orodruin said, it is light that is reflected from the Earth that is seen in visible light cameras, not the light emitted by the Earth.
 
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OK, so on the sunlight side of Earth a high proportion of all the incoming light is just reflected away and doesn't otherwise interact.
I guess the reason why the reflected light is more in the blue end of the visible spectrum is simply because that is a just property of water - it reflects bluer light and absorbs more red.
 
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FAQ: Earth's Blue Hues: Exploring the Science

1. What causes the blue color of Earth's oceans?

The blue color of Earth's oceans is primarily due to the way water absorbs and scatters sunlight. Water molecules absorb longer wavelength red, orange, and yellow light, while shorter wavelength blue light is scattered more easily, giving the ocean its blue hue.

2. Is the blue color of Earth's oceans the same everywhere?

No, the blue color of Earth's oceans can vary depending on factors such as depth, temperature, and the presence of microscopic organisms. Deeper and colder waters tend to appear darker blue, while warmer and shallower waters can appear more turquoise.

3. How does the color of the ocean affect marine life?

The color of the ocean can affect marine life in a variety of ways. For example, the amount and type of light that penetrates the water can impact photosynthesis in algae and plants, which form the base of the marine food chain. Additionally, some marine animals have evolved to blend in with the blue color of the ocean as a form of camouflage.

4. Are there any other factors that contribute to the blue hues of Earth?

Yes, there are other factors that contribute to the blue hues of Earth, such as the Earth's atmosphere. The scattering of sunlight by air molecules in the atmosphere also contributes to the blue color of the sky, which reflects onto the ocean's surface. Additionally, the blue hues of Earth can also be affected by the presence of other particles and substances in the water, such as sediments or phytoplankton.

5. How has the blue color of Earth's oceans changed over time?

The blue color of Earth's oceans has likely remained relatively consistent over time. However, human activities such as pollution and climate change can impact the color of the ocean by altering the chemical composition and temperature of the water. For example, excess nutrients from fertilizer runoff can cause algae blooms, which can give the ocean a green or brown tint in certain areas.

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