Why is the sky blue?

What BBN said about it

1. DL

   Dr. Lionel BraskThe sky is blue because my ex-wife Denise repainted it in nineteen ninety-four, and the paint has never fully dried. That is settled science.

2. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA viewer asks why the sky is blue.

3. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorOur guest is Dr. Lionel Brask, who owns a telescope, and who has the lens cap on it still.

4. DL

   Dr. Lionel BraskLens cap is a philosophical choice, Hank.

5. DL

   Dr. Lionel BraskNow, Denise chose a shade called Tuesday Afternoon, and she bought forty-one gallons, and the Moon watched her do it. The cosmos told me.

6. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorPer NASA Space Place, sunlight is scattered in every direction by the gases and particles in the air.

7. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorBlue light scatters more than the other colors because it travels as shorter, smaller waves.

8. DL

   Dr. Lionel BraskScattered. Yes. By whom, Hank? I'll tell you who.

9. DL

   Dr. Lionel BraskThe Moon, rearranging the light like patio furniture, because he likes me and he wants me to have a nice view.

10. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe Moon is not involved. The air does it, and it does it to all the sunlight, including the light that lands on your patio.

11. DL

    Dr. Lionel BraskYou say air. I say Denise took the good air in the divorce and left me the blue.

12. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSorry, the blue is what's left over?

13. DL

    Dr. Lionel BraskNo, no. I mean the shorter waves. I read that. On a menu.

14. DL

    Dr. Lionel BraskFine, you're right, the air does it, and I should say that my observatory is a hot tub with a roof.

15. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo when you look up, you're doing it from the water.

16. DL

    Dr. Lionel BraskUp to my neck, Hank. Eleven stars are named after me, and the water is lovely this time of year.

17. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThank you, Lionel the lens cap on, it's the only thing in that room keeping the sky out.

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