Light and Color in the OutdoorsAll of science springs from the observation of nature. In this classic book, the late Marcel Minnaert accompanies the reader on a tour of nature's light and color and reveals the myriad phenomena that may be observed outdoors with no more than a pair of sharp eyes and an enquiring mind. From the intriguing shape of the dapples beneath a tree on a sunny day, to rainbows, mirages, and haloes, to the colors of liquid, ice, and the sky, to the appearance of the sun, moon, planets, and stars - Minnaert describes and explains them all in clear language accessible to the layman. This volume includes 80 new photographs, over half in color, illustrating many of the phenomena - ordinary and exotic - discussed in the book. Most of the new photos are by Pekka Parviainen, the renowned Finnish nature photographer. |
Contents
| 1 | |
| 9 | |
Refraction of Light | 45 |
The Curvature of Light Rays in the Atmosphere | 59 |
The Measurement of Intensity and Brightness of Light | 95 |
The Eye | 111 |
Colors | 131 |
Afterimages and Contrast Phenomena | 137 |
Rainbows Halos and Coronas | 185 |
Light and Color of the Sky | 259 |
Light and Color in the Landscape 321 | 320 |
Luminous Plants Animals and Stones | 371 |
Appendix A Measuring Angles out of Doors | 377 |
Appendix B Photographing Natural Phenomena | 379 |
Further Notes and References | 385 |
| 398 | |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
afterimage altitude anthelion antisolar point appear atmosphere background beam becomes blue sky bluish bright caused circumscribed halo circumzenithal arc clear clouds color contrast coronas crepuscular rays curvature curved dark darker diffraction direction disk distance dust edge explained formed glass glow Goethe green flash ground Haidinger's brush height heiligenschein Hemel en Dampkring horizon illuminated intensity landscape layer less light source look Marcel Minnaert Meteorol Minnaert mirage mirror moon move night noctilucent clouds notice objects observed optical parhelia parhelic circle particles patch Pekka Parviainen phenomenon Photo by Pekka photograph Phys plane Plate polarization Polaroid rainbow rays of light reflected refraction refractive index retina right angles ring ripples scattering seen shadow shining shows side slightly source of light spot of light stars streetlight sun's sunlight sunset surface tion trees twilight vertical visible waves window yellow zodiacal light