atmospheric optics
英[ˌætməˈsferɪk ˈɔptɪks]美[ˌætməˈsfɛrɪk ˈɑptɪks]
Atmospheric optics deals with how the unique optical properties of the Earth's atmosphere cause a wide range of spectacular optical phenomena. The blue color of the sky is a direct result of Rayleigh scattering which redirects higher frequency (blue) sunlight back into the field of view of the observer.