Question

An astronaut in outer space will observe the sky as:

• A. White
• B. Black
• C. Blue
• D. Red

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Black

Explanation for correct option:

Option (b) Black:

Scattering of light:

1. It is the phenomenon of electromagnetic energy being bounced off by the atoms or molecules of the medium through which they are traveling.
2. As a result, when light passes through a media, it bounces off in any direction after impacting the particles in the medium, as seen in the diagram below:

Why space appears dark:

1. As the astronaut flies further and more outside the earth's atmosphere, the atmosphere becomes thinner and thinner.
2. There are no particles in space that can cause light to disperse.
3. As a result, it is empty, and the moving light eventually fades into the distance.
4. This explains why the color of outer space is completely black.
5. The sky that an average person sees in the daytime is blue.
6. This is because numerous particles in the environment get touched by the sun's light.
7. It enables scattering, resulting in blue color.
8. However, this is not the case in space.

Thus, an astronaut in outer space will observe the sky as black.

Hence, option (B) is the correct answer.