Natural Optical Phenomena

doi:10.1117/3.2265067.ch3

Book: Optics Made Clear: The Nature of Light and How We Use It

Author(s): William L. Wolfe

Published: 2006

https://doi.org/10.1117/3.2265067.ch3

Author Affiliations +

Abstract

As we look around us, we see light in nature everywhere we turn. Many of these natural light phenomena are not appreciated, and others are not well understood by many. Some, like rainbows, are beautiful, and some, like lightning, are frightening - and dangerous. Hummingbirds show us beautiful iridescent colors; the sky is blue; sunsets are red; oil slicks are multicolored; and halos glow around the sun and in clouds. Wow!