What is the main consequence of Rayleigh scattering?

Rayleigh scattering is a phenomenon that occurs when light passes through the atmosphere and interacts with small particles, such as gas molecules. The primary consequence of this scattering is its effect on the color of the sky. During the day, when the sun is high in the sky, shorter wavelengths of light, such as blue, are scattered more than longer wavelengths, resulting in a blue sky. Conversely, during sunrise and sunset, the light travels a longer distance through the atmosphere, scattering shorter wavelengths even more and allowing the longer wavelengths, like reds and oranges, to dominate the sky's color.

This scattering is critical to our perception of sunlight and atmospheric conditions, affecting how we define and perceive color in the environment. The other choices do not accurately describe the main impact of Rayleigh scattering; they focus on different physical processes or consequences unrelated directly to atmospheric color perception.