Did it ever really rain blood? The real causes of red rain and red snow

Transcript

Imagine the sky turning dark and rain the color of blood falling from the clouds. For centuries, these events were looked upon as terrible and fatal omens. But did it ever really rain blood? According to the records of physical science, these occurrences have natural explanations. In sixteen hundred and eight, a supposed shower of blood in France was discovered to be the red exudations of butterflies as they transformed from their chrysalis state. Other times, the cause is microscopic. Red rain collected in eighteen hundred and sixty was found to contain tiny plant like organisms belonging to the algae family. Even crimson snow has been traced to vegetable productions like the fungus uredo nivalis. Sometimes, the earth itself provides the pigment. Red dust or volcanic ashes, known as puzzolana, can be carried into the atmosphere and mix with falling rain or snow to create a startling brick red hue. While these sights once inspired fear of the supernatural, they are actually governed by the unerring laws of natural science.