[Q] A question about the sun.

[Glenn Lyvers]

When I was a child, I remember the sun being more yellow in color. Now it is whiter than I remember it once being.

 

Is this my imagination?

 

Peace,

Glenn

[Moontanman]

The sun is the same color, your perception of color may have changed but the sun hasn't.

[modest]

The sun is the same in a relative way but you're older...

 

~modest

[CraigD]

Though the color of the sun when high in the sky has almost certainly been practically the same color during our lifetimes, sunrise and sunset colors vary considerably day to day, by location, and due to minor changes in atmospheric composition due to human factors (ie: air pollution, relative increases, decreases, and changes in kind).

 

So where and when you were when you recall the sun being more yellow is a significant factor. I personally have the impression of more vivid sunrises and sets in my childhood ca. 1970, which corresponds to a time in much of the US when particle pollution levels were, IIRC, higher than today, so my anecdotal recollection may have a basis in objective fact.

 

It would be a bit of a research undertaking, but given the ease with which color can be measured using simple spectroscopic techniques known for centuries, I’m fairly certain this could be supported by data. However, given the vagaries of memory and perception, I think it’s more important to understand the underlying science of atmosphere and color than to try relating childhood experience to precise scientific data.

[theblackalchemist]

Greetings,

 

I think that this also needs a mention.

 

The color of the sun shows its temperature and not its age.

 

Google it, if you need more clarification.

 

Regards

TBA

[Boerseun]

I think the two most likely answers are:

 

1) Your eyes have become older, and not as sensistive as they used to be in discerning colours, or

2) The air quality where you're living now is different; i.e. you're either living at a higher altitude and the light passes through less air before hitting your eyeball (would appear whiter), or the air is simply cleaner than when you were a kid.

[lemit]

When I was a child, I remember the sun being more yellow in color. Now it is whiter than I remember it once being.

 

Is this my imagination?

 

Peace,

Glenn

 

I know what you mean. I have that same perception.

 

I think you could develop a comedy routine based on the premise, "You know you're old if the sun has changed colors during your lifetime."

 

Since significant changes in stars don't generally happen within 60 years or so (in my case), there might some "human influence on climate" (ominous organ music) at work here.

 

I don't know. I hope somebody else does. I don't want to find out I'm galactically old.

 

--lemit