Optical Collection (#22)

Omega Centauri (NGC 5139) composite image
Omega Centauri (NGC 5139). Composite infrared and optical image of the Omega Centauri globular cluster. Globular clusters are spherical groups of very old stars, about 12 billion years old

Visible light spectrum experiment. Historical artwork of the experiment that showed how a prism (upper left) can be used to split a beam of white light into its component colours

Biconvex lens model, 19th century
Biconvex lens model. This model is designed to show students of optics how light rays passing through a biconvex lens invert the image of an object

Cloud Gate sculpture in Chicago
Cloud Gate sculpture in Millennium Park, Chicago, Illinois, USA. The stainless steel sculpture, by Anish Kapoor, was constructed between 2004 and 2006

Distortion of the Sun, 17th century
Distortions of the Sun. 17th century diagram explaining how the disc of the Sun appears distorted when seen close to the horizon

Galaxy cluster MACS J0717, composite image. This massive galaxy cluster was formed when four separate galaxy clusters collided

Laser reading digital pits on a CD / DVD
Computer artwork showing light emitted by a laser diode being focussed onto a compact disc by a small lens. The metal disc underneath is etched by a laser beam to produce the microscopic pits which

Lower Yellowstone Falls and spray rainbow
Lower Yellowstone Falls, Yellowstone river. These 33 meter high falls are the largest volume falls in the Rocky Mountains of the USA

Optical effects in shallow sea water
Optical lens effects in shallow sea water show coloured fringing as the uneven water surface forms temporary and imperfect lenses which split incident light into its constituent colours (like a prism)

Fluorescence lifetime imaging lasers. Lasers of a fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) microscope in a medical research laboratory

Observatories on summit of Mauna Kea
Observatories at the summit of Mauna Kea, Hawaii, at sunrise. From left to right they are: Subaru Telescope, Keck 1 and Keck 2 telescopes, and NASA Infrared Telescope Facility

Hubble Space Telescope, artwork
Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in Earth orbit, computer artwork. The Milky Way is in the background. The HST is an astronomical satellite in orbit around Earth

Gemini North telescope, Hawaii
Gemini North telescope dome on the summit of Mauna Kea, Hawaii, USA. This 8-metre optical/infrared telescope was completed in 1999

Newtons Opticks notes in flames, 1692
Newtons Opticks notes in flames. Coloured historical artwork of the English physicist and mathematician Isaac Newton (1642-1727) discovering that his notes on optics are burning

Cordless mouse and keyboard for a computer. Wireless keyboards and mice use either infrared or radio waves to connect to the computer

Comet Lulin. Composite image of comet Lulin passing through the constellation Libra. The Lulin image was taken by the ultraviolet/optical telescope (blue and green areas)

Surface of a lens

Radio telescopes, artwork
Radio telescopes. Computer artwork of a radio telescope array in the mist

Gemini North telescope, Hawaii
Gemini North telescope dome on the summit of Mauna Kea, Hawaii, USA. This 8-metre optical/infrared telescope was completed in 1999

Telescope, artwork
Telescope

Cats eye. The eyes of cats are adapted for night vision by the presence of a structure behind the retina called the tapetum lucidum

Solar corona (upper left), with shades of green and purple colored cloud (centre). The term corona is here being used to refer to an optical phenomenon observed in the Earths atmosphere

Lens flare. Strange shapes in the sky caused by light from streetlamps being reflected inside the camera lens

Setting sun. Montage of images taken at a rate of 3 per second showing the coloured rays that appear over the clouds as the sun sets. These colours are a result of atmospheric refraction

Interference pattern. Light micrograph of interference patterns on a soap film. The different colours are due to interference of reflected light waves

Abell 1689 galaxy cluster, X-ray image
Abell 1689 galaxy cluster. Combined Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO) image of the massive galaxy cluster Abell 1689

Sunset. Montage image of the sun setting on the horizon, creating a mirage of the sun melting at its lower edge

Moth wing scales, light micrograph
Moth wing scales. Light micrograph of scales from the wing of a sunset moth (Urania ripheus) from Madagascar. Layers of wing scales are transparent but tiny ridges on the scales break up

Globular cluster M13, HST image
Globular cluster M13. Hubble Space Telescope (HST) image of hundreds of thousands of stars making up the globular cluster M13

Moon dogs. Image of cirrus clouds in a night sky over a residential area, showing circular spots around the moon. These spots, known as moon dogs or paraselenae

Supernova remnant SN1006, composite image
Supernova remnant SN 1006. Combined X-ray, radio and optical image of the supernova remnant SN 1006, an expanding shell of gas and dust from the explosion of a massive star

Diffraction pattern created by shining a monochromatic (single wavelength) light at a circular object. The light waves bend and spread around the object and converge

Spectrum of visible light
Spectrum of white light, horizontal display. White light, such as sunlight, is composed of all the colors of light in the visible spectrum

Candles under white light. Image 2 of 2. The candles appear in their natural colours under white light. Colour is the result of an object reflecting and absorbing different parts of the visible

Chromatic aberration, seen through a lens that is also showing the words chromatic aberration. Unless it is engineered to be achromatic, a lens will separate light that passes through it

Soap film patterns sequence. The sequence starts at left and ends at right. Over time, under the influence of gravity, the soap film degrades and breaks up

Candles under red light. Image 1 of 2. Colour is the result of an object reflecting and absorbing different parts of the visible (light) spectrum

Lens forming image of lamp
Lens forming an image of a lamp. The image of a carbon filament lamp is inverted and projected on to a screen in a darkened room

Flowers under green light. Colour is the result of an object reflecting and absorbing different parts of the visible (light) spectrum. Only reflected light contributes to an objects colour

Newtons colour disc. Image 1 of 2. This piece of apparatus is used to demonstrate colour mixing. The disc is spun and, if the speed of rotation is fast enough

Flowers under red light. Colour is the result of an object reflecting and absorbing different parts of the visible (light) spectrum. Only reflected light contributes to an objects colour

Thin film interference on soap film. Bands of colour are created by white light shining on a film of soap. Some of the light reflects off the surface of the film

Flowers under blue light. Colour is the result of an object reflecting and absorbing different parts of the visible (light) spectrum. Only reflected light contributes to an objects colour

Soap film patterns. When white light is shone on a soap film (a thin mix of soap and water), coloured interference patterns are formed that correspond to the thickness of the film

Newtons rings on clouds
Newtons rings. This is an optical effect that is produced by interference between light reflected from a hemispherical surface and a flat plane. It can be caused by photographic lenses

Flowers under white light. The foliage and flowers appear in their natural colours under white light. Colour is the result of an object reflecting and absorbing different parts of the visible (light)

Reflections. Model giraffe reflected in two mirrors, giving three images

Compound eye of a gnat, SEM
Compound eye of a gnat. Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the surface of a compound eye from a fungus gnat (suborder Nematocera). The eye consists of many rounded lenses known as ommatidia

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

"Exploring the Mysteries of the Optical Universe: From Orion Nebula to Northern Lights" Step into a world where beauty and wonder collide, as we delve into the captivating realm phenomena. The breathtaking Orion Nebula unveils its celestial secrets, showcasing a cosmic ballet of Blossom and Decay. Behold the mesmerizing Nebula Sh 2-106 in all its glory, captured by the Hubble Space Telescope's keen eye. Its ethereal hues paint an otherworldly canvas that transports us to distant galaxies. But it's not just far-off wonders that captivate our gaze; closer to home, nature puts on its own spectacular light show with the enchanting dance of the Northern Lights. A sight so magical, it leaves us awestruck at Earth's natural marvels. Through an optical lens, we peer into space and witness Sirius shining brightly amidst a sea of stars. The star filter reveals its true radiance, reminding us of our infinitesimal place in this vast universe. The spiral galaxy M81 beckons us further into deep space with its stunning composite image. Its swirling arms tell tales of cosmic evolution and remind us that even galaxies are subject to change. Venturing deeper still, we encounter the enigmatic Horsehead Nebula—a dark silhouette against a backdrop of stellar brilliance—an enigma waiting to be unraveled. Andromeda Galaxy awaits our exploration next—the closest spiral galaxy to our Milky Way—inviting us to ponder what lies beyond our familiar celestial neighborhood. Intriguingly intertwined within this tapestry is also human ingenuity—the University of Oxford's College serves as a cradle for knowledge seekers who unravel these mysteries day by day. Meanwhile, Chadburn Brothers' Albion Works stands as testament to humanity's pursuit in crafting precise optical instruments that unlock new realms for discovery.