Helpful Posts Helpful Posts:  0
Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Ice crystal oddity?

  1. #1
    risingwolf's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Montana, USA
    Posts
    190
    Real Name
    Dave

    Ice crystal oddity?

    Frost this morning so I went out and took some macro shots. Did not see this rainbow beam until I enlarged the image on the computer. I am not a crystal expert but I have never seen this phenomenon before.

    Comments are encouraged (except on the dof)

    Ice crystal oddity?

  2. #2
    Moderator Donald's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Glenfarg, Scotland
    Posts
    21,402
    Real Name
    Just add 'MacKenzie'

    Re: Ice crystal oddity?

    I think .................
    Quote Originally Posted by risingwolf View Post
    Comments are encouraged (except on the dof)
    oops - Okay!

    Dave Sorry, I've missed your last couple of posts. Good to see you here again.

    I'm afraid that one has got me. I'm sure one of the more scientific minds on here will provide the answer.

  3. #3
    Dizzy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Concrete, WA. USA
    Posts
    686
    Real Name
    Mike

    Re: Ice crystal oddity?

    Dave, the light is refracting through one of the crystals, and that is creating the full color spectrum
    that you see there. It's an excellent capture of the prism effect, and it's interesting that the ice crystal
    was shaped just right to produce the broad color spectrum in your image.

    Mike

  4. #4
    risingwolf's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Montana, USA
    Posts
    190
    Real Name
    Dave

    Re: Ice crystal oddity?

    Thanks for the input. I have several crystals that give a rainbow effect but the length is what I do not understand. I wonder if it is the layers in the ice crystal that give it the repeating effect. Ah, the wonders of nature

  5. #5
    Steaphany's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in Texas
    Posts
    831
    Real Name
    Steaphany

    Re: Ice crystal oddity?

    Quote Originally Posted by risingwolf View Post
    Thanks for the input. I have several crystals that give a rainbow effect but the length is what I do not understand. I wonder if it is the layers in the ice crystal that give it the repeating effect. Ah, the wonders of nature
    Yes, as the layer thickness varies, you will get more wavelengths which is why at one end you get pure bright colors and pastels at the other end.

  6. #6
    Moderator Donald's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Glenfarg, Scotland
    Posts
    21,402
    Real Name
    Just add 'MacKenzie'

    Re: Ice crystal oddity?

    Quote Originally Posted by risingwolf View Post
    Ah, the wonders of nature

    Quote Originally Posted by Steaphany View Post
    Yes, as the layer thickness varies, you will get more wavelengths which is why at one end you get pure bright colors and pastels at the other end.
    And, 'aahh' in awe of those who understand and can explain all these things. Science and maths just went completely over my head in school and I acknowledge how ignorant I am in relation to so many fascinating things that make our world tick.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •