Rayleigh scattering By Matt Young January 3, 2011 12:00 MST Photograph by Marilyn Susek. Photography contest, Honorable Mention. Rayleigh scattering at sunset, near Ravenfield, UK. The sun is near the horizon, and its rays travel a long distance through the atmosphere, which filters blue light as a result of Rayleigh scattering. The clouds are therefore illuminated by red light and appear red. In this picture the sun is somewhat overexposed and incorrectly appears yellow.