What does a persistent colorful glow hanging in the sky long after sunset suggest about the atmosphere?
Answer
It strongly suggests the presence of fine, suspended particles like dust or pollution
A prolonged glow, even as the sky darkens elsewhere, indicates that fine, suspended particles (aerosols) are present. These particles efficiently scatter visible light across the spectrum, holding onto the illumination longer than pure air molecules can.

Related Questions
What causes the sky to remain illuminated after the Sun dips below the geometric horizon?When does Civil Twilight officially end?What angular separation below the horizon marks the end of Nautical Twilight?What specific condition must be met for the sky to be considered truly dark for observing the faintest celestial objects?Which type of scattering causes the characteristic blue color of the daytime sky?Why do sunsets and the subsequent afterglow often feature reds and oranges?What phenomenon is caused by larger particles like dust or pollutants scattering light broadly, potentially extending brightness?If an observer lives near the equator, how does the Sun's path affect twilight duration?What visual color contrast characterizes the transition from the western horizon upward during Nautical Twilight?What does a persistent colorful glow hanging in the sky long after sunset suggest about the atmosphere?