Spectroscopy or ghost science


Some spectra

Reflection from snow does not produce colors, but reflection inside ice crystals does.

Reflection in azzure on borders of the gold-doped, red ash-tray come from Mie scattering, like in the sky.

Spectrum is an image, something produced by the object, like the reflected or emitted light.

Then You need an analyser, to show single components. This can be a prism, 
a diffraction grate, but also a snow crystal or a CD-cover. 

Separated colours, like in a CD form 
a spectrum.

CD-cover “produces” colors, but usually reflecting polarized light, i.e. from blue sky. Unless, the polymer is strongly oriented, like here.

Look carefully or snap shots: spectra are everywhere. 
This is Red See.

Separating colors can be done by refraction, like here, diffraction, like to the right, or scattering.

In the left image no dark blue is present, in the right image no yellow but a lot of red. One is of so-called energetic lamp, one of the morning sky.
Can You guess which is which?

Colors in CD-cover are complementary, obtained by subtraction of red, blue or green from white.


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