Color and Light in Nature [Hardcover]

David K. Lynch (Author), William Livingston (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 25, 1995

We live in a world of optical marvels - from the commonplace, but beautiful rainbow, to the rare and eerie superior mirage. Have you ever asked yourself how a rainbow is formed, why the setting sun is red and flattened, or even why the sky at night is not absolutely black? If so, then allow David Lynch to provide you with the answers. This beautiful and informative guide provides clear explanations to all naturally occurring optical phenomena seen with the naked eye. It offers complete and easy-to-understand insights into shadows, halos, water optics, mirages and a host of other spectacles. Separating myth from reality, it outlines the basic principles involved, and supports them with many figures and references. A wealth of rare and spectacular photographs, many in full colour, illustrate these phenomena throughout, with many helpful hints on how you can best observe and photograph them. Color and Light in Nature provides a complete, well-illustrated, and authoritative guide to seeing, photographing and understanding nature's optical delights.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Why is the sky blue? Why do mountains glow in the dark? Is the darkest always before the dawn?

An ideal reference to have on hand in answering questions such as these, Color and Light in Nature is an endlessly fascinating exploration of phenomena that are familiar to us all, but that even trained scientists take for granted. Take the question of why stars twinkle, for instance: twinkling, astronomers Lynch and Livingston observe, is strongest with stars that are low in the sky, and then on a clear and windy night, when starlight passing through the atmosphere encounters little pockets of turbulence that bend its rays "momentarily away from our eyes." Sunlight undergoes similar distortions, yielding mirages, "blinks," sundogs, halos, rainbows, "mountain light," and other wonders of nature, all of which the authors describe and explain in clear and accessible prose.

Lynch and Livingston encourage their readers to seek out and study these phenomena for themselves, writing, for instance, "No effort should be spared to witness at least one total eclipse in your lifetime." They go on to make a good case for why that should be so, and why the workings of light and color should be of interest to students of science. Their book is a lively companion and teacher. --Gregory McNamee --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

'Each account is succinct and lucid, illustrated by both diagrams and photographs, some stunning in their beauty. A distinguishing feature of their account is a systematic attempt to give clear scientific explanations for each effect ... The balance of description and physical explanation is excellent.' Arthur Zajonc, Nature

'... written in a laid back and enthusiastic style ... After reading this book, I will certainly be on the look out for some of the curious effects described, camera at the ready!' Astronomy Now

'... a beautifully illustrated popular account of atmospheric phenomena.' Nature

'The overall text is well written, with clear explanations, and is properly integrated with the excellent illustrations. The latter, including some subtle effects, are reproduced accurately, and at a size that does justice to the phenomena involved.' Weather

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 254 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (August 25, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521434319
• ISBN-13: 978-0521434317
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,630,617 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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