Have you noticed how bright and colourful our sunsets and sunrises are at the moment? Vivid pinks, purples and oranges have been setting the sky ablaze every morning and night. But why is this happening?

Scientists from New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospherics have confirmed the colourful phenomenon is being caused by microscopic dust particles suspended in the stratosphere. The dust was deposited there by the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano eruption that happened in January.

As the dust fills the air, light from the sun is bent, splitting white light into different colours. It's this light scattering that is responsible for the vivid colours you're seeing. How cool is that?