Weird phenomenon made the Sun turn blue over UK, and here’s why?
Skywatchers throughout Britain were taken aback this morning as they directed their gaze upwards, only to witness the astonishing transformation of the sun into a vibrant shade of blue. The internet, particularly X (previously known as Twitter), has been inundated with an influx of captivating images capturing this peculiar occurrence.
One bewildered user expressed their astonishment, stating, “I must admit, I have never before witnessed the spectacle of a blue sun!” Fortunately, there is no cause for alarm as this extraordinary hue is easily accounted for by a straightforward explanation.
ITV’s weather presenter and meteorologist, Chris Page, addressed the inquiries of concerned individuals on X (formerly Twitter) by shedding light on the peculiar phenomenon of the sun appearing blue today. Page explained that this optical illusion is a result of the smoke emanating from wildfires, which has dispersed the sunlight and traveled across the Atlantic from North America due to the influence of Storm Agnes. Notably, Storm Agnes marks the inaugural named storm of the autumn and winter season in the United Kingdom and Ireland, originating from North America.
According to Dan Harris, Deputy Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, the prevailing source of the wildfire smoke can be attributed primarily to Canada.
“We have a strong westerly influence to our weather at the moment and this can bring air all the way from North America to Europe wrapped up within our weather systems,” he said.
“This air currently contains smoke from Canadian wildfires.
“A combination of smoke and high cloud in the atmosphere can scatter sunlight, creating unusual colour shifts.”
Every discernible color possesses a distinct wavelength, which explains why certain stars appear blue while others appear red. Longer wavelengths produce oranges and reds, whereas shorter wavelengths, obstructed by dust and smoke particles, generate the color blue. This is the reason why the sun exhibited a frosty hue earlier today.
