Rainbows, Halos and Glories [Paperback]

Greenler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 26, 1990

Over 200 illustrations, many in full colour, capture for both the layman and scientist the beautiful optical effects that we see in the sky. The author describes and explains these effects in non-technical language.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In sum, Rainbows, Halos, and Glories is well written, informative, interesting, and just plain fun to read." -- The Sciences

"The contents of Greenler's gem show depth without sacrifice of breadth in treatment." -- Sky and Telescope

"This book will doubtless take its place with the select few which are regarded as 'classics' in the field..." -- British Astronomical Association --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Robert Greenler is an Emeritus Professor of Physics at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he has been a member of the faculty since 1962. He is well known in the international scientific community, having served in various capacities with the Optical Society of America, the American Institute of Physics, and the Council of Scientific Society Presidents. He has published eighty research papers, given five hundred invited and contributed talks, and has received numerous awards in the scientific community. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 205 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 26, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521388651
• ISBN-13: 978-0521388658
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,220,864 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive textbook on atmospheric optical phenomena., December 2, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Rainbows, Halos and Glories (Paperback)

This is the standard textbook on atmospheric optical effects, by the Professor of Physics at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. His book features precise explanations of the physics behind all optical atmospheric phenomena, from halos and parhelia to sun pillars, Parry's arcs, glories and the "Spectre of the Brocken". Computer modeling is used to recreate light rays through ice crystals in various orientations to explain the changing shapes of atmospheric optical effects with different angles between the sun and the horizon. But scientific precision also comes with a very readable text. Over a hundred color photographs illustrate some of the beautiful visual effects that can be seen in the sky. Interesting sidelines are also explored, such as making and photographing your own infra-red rainbow! Finally, various intriguing puzzles are left for the reader to solve, such as the photograph shown on the cover of the book - how can there be a rainbow over a snow-covered landscape? For those who really want to understand the optics of atmospheric effects, this book is required reading.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive textbook on atmospheric optical effects., December 2, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Rainbows, Halos and Glories (Hardcover)

This is the standard textbook on atmospheric optical effects, by the Professor of Physics at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. His book features precise explanations of the physics behind all optical atmospheric phenomena, from halos and parhelia to sun pillars, Parry's arcs, glories and the "Spectre of the Brocken". Computer modeling is used to recreate light rays through ice crystals in various orientations to explain the changing shapes of atmospheric optical effects with different angles between the sun and the horizon. But scientific precision also comes with a very readable text. Over a hundred color photographs illustrate some of the beautiful visual effects that can be seen in the sky. Interesting sidelines are also explored, such as making and photographing your own infra-red rainbow! Finally, various intriguing puzzles are left for the reader to solve, such as the photograph shown on the cover of the book - how can there be a rainbow over a snow-covered landscape? For those who really want to understand the optics of atmospheric effects, this book is required reading.