Rayleigh Scattering Definition

noun

A type of scattering that occurs when light waves pass through particles that are smaller than the wavelength: this type of scattering in the atmosphere makes the sky appear blue.

Webster's New World

pronoun

The elastic scattering of light or other electromagnetic radiation by particles much smaller than the wavelength of the light.

Rayleigh scattering of sunlight in a clear atmosphere is the main reason why the sky is blue.

Wiktionary

Origin of Rayleigh Scattering

Named after the British physicist Lord Rayleigh (1842-1919).

From Wiktionary
After John William Strutt, Third Baron Rayleigh

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition