Light and Color in the Outdoors [Paperback]

All 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.1 Light and Shadows.- 2 Reflection of Light.- 3 Refraction of Light.- 4 The Curvature of Light Rays in the Atmosphere.- 5 The Measurement of Intensity and Brightness of Light.- 6 The Eye.- 7 Colors.- 8 Afterimages and Contrast Phenomena.- 9 Judging Shape and Motion.- 10 Rainbows, Halos, and Coronas.- 11 Light and Color of the Sky.- 12 Light and Color in the Landscape.- 13 Luminous Plants, Animals, and Stones.- Appendix A . Measuring Angles out of Doors.- Appendix B. Photographing Natural Phenomena.- Appendix C. Further Notes and References. Minnaert's book is a gem!...It is a wonderful book that should be known by everyone who has an interest in the natural visual world. Am. J. Phys.
...just about everything imaginable that refracts or reflects light or shows color...a marvelous book, one that I highly recommend to every observer Sky & Telescope