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Concept
Optical phenomenon
Summary
Optical phenomena are any observable events that result from the interaction of light and matter.
All optical phenomena coincide with quantum phenomena. Common optical phenomena are often due to the interaction of light from the Sun or Moon with the atmosphere, clouds, water, dust, and other particulates. One common example is the rainbow, when light from the Sun is reflected and refracted by water droplets. Some phenomena, such as the green ray, are so rare they are sometimes thought to be mythical. Others, such as Fata Morganas, are commonplace in favored locations.
Other phenomena are simply interesting aspects of optics, or optical effects. For instance, the colors generated by a prism are often shown in classrooms.
Optical phenomena include those arising from the optical properties of the atmosphere; the rest of nature (other phenomena); of objects, whether natural or human-made (optical effects); and of our eyes (Entoptic phenomena). Also listed here are unexplained phenomena that could have an optical explanation and "optical illusions" for which optical explanations have been excluded.
There are many phenomena that result from either the particle or the wave nature of light. Some are quite subtle and observable only by precise measurement using scientific instruments. One famous observation is of the bending of light from a star by the Sun observed during a solar eclipse. This demonstrates that space is curved, as the theory of relativity predicts.
Dichromatism
Gegenschein
Iridescence
Opposition effect
Shadow
Shade
Silhouette
Sylvanshine
Zodiacal light
Asterism, star gems such as star sapphire or star ruby
Aura, a phenomenon in which gas or dust surrounding an object luminesces or reflects light from the object
Aventurescence, also called the Schiller effect, spangled gems such as aventurine quartz and sunstone
Baily's beads, grains of sunlight visible in total solar eclipses.
Official source
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