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Prism Collection (#3)

"Exploring the Prism: Unveiling the Beauty of Light and Color" Step into the world of prisms, where science and art intertwine to reveal the wonders of light and color

Background imagePrism Collection: Prism splitting white light ray into colours of the visible spectrum, side view

Prism splitting white light ray into colours of the visible spectrum, side view

Background imagePrism Collection: hanging glass decorations, graphic prismatic effect, Bangkok, Thailand, S. E. Asia

hanging glass decorations, graphic prismatic effect, Bangkok, Thailand, S. E. Asia
hanging glass decorations, graphic prismatic effect, Bangkok, Thailand, S.E. Asia

Background imagePrism Collection: Newtons experiment splitting white light into the colours of the spectrum by a prism, 1757

Newtons experiment splitting white light into the colours of the spectrum by a prism, 1757
Newtons experiment showing how white light is refracted by a prism and split into the colours of the spectrum, 1757. The dotted line shows the beam of light entering through the window

Background imagePrism Collection: Optical phenomena observed and described by Sir Isaac Newton, 1704

Optical phenomena observed and described by Sir Isaac Newton, 1704. The formation of a rainbow by dispersion and total internal reflection (Fig 15)

Background imagePrism Collection: Light, c1850

Light, c1850. Educational plate showing reflection and refraction, light travelling in straight lines, a burning mirror (13) and Newtons prism experiment (27). (Wurtemberg, Germany c1850)

Background imagePrism Collection: Athelhampton Manor in Dorset, 15th century

Athelhampton Manor in Dorset, 15th century
Athelhampton Manor in Dorset, a 15th century manor with Tudor period gardens, 15th century

Background imagePrism Collection: Experiment showing that prismatic colours cannot be split further, 1747

Experiment showing that prismatic colours cannot be split further, 1747. From Mathematical Elements of Natural Philosophy confirm d by Experiment by Jean Theophilus Desaguliers

Background imagePrism Collection: Isaac Newtons prism experiment showing how sunlight is split into its separate colours, 1747

Isaac Newtons prism experiment showing how sunlight is split into its separate colours, 1747. English physicist and mathematician Newton (1642-1727)

Background imagePrism Collection: Isaac Newton, English scientist and mathematician, (1666) 1874

Isaac Newton, English scientist and mathematician, (1666) 1874. Newton (1642-1727) using a prism to separate white light into the colours of the spectrum

Background imagePrism Collection: Plate from Opticks, by Isaac Newton, showing the splitting of light through prisms, 1704

Plate from Opticks, by Isaac Newton, showing the splitting of light through prisms, 1704. English physicist and mathematician Newton (1642-1727)

Background imagePrism Collection: against the odds, balance, challenge, cloud, color image, concept, conquering adversity

against the odds, balance, challenge, cloud, color image, concept, conquering adversity
Silhouette of a woman pushing sphere on fulcrum

Background imagePrism Collection: Octagonal clay prism (ca. 1100 BC) - annals of the Assyrian

Octagonal clay prism (ca. 1100 BC) - annals of the Assyrian
The Octagonal clay prism (ca. 1100 BC) with the annals of the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser I (1114-1076 B.C.). This text spoke of a campaign of king Tiglath-pileser against the land of ?atti

Background imagePrism Collection: Best English Cut Crystal Table Glass, Plate 93

Best English Cut Crystal Table Glass, Plate 93, showing jugs, jars, decanters, glasses and other items. Date: circa 1880s

Background imagePrism Collection: PRISM 1922 Watercolor gouache graphite paper

PRISM 1922 Watercolor gouache graphite paper
PRISM, 1922, Watercolor, gouache, graphite, paper, H, 18-5/8, W, 14-5/8, 47.3 x 37.1 cm, Drawings, 8, AM170720 098338

Background imagePrism Collection: USA, Lighthouse Lens, Oregon

USA, Lighthouse Lens, Oregon

Background imagePrism Collection: Fire Island, New York. Antique Fresnel lighthouse beacon

Fire Island, New York. Antique Fresnel lighthouse beacon

Background imagePrism Collection: An ice crystal lunar halo around the gibbous moon with an aircraft jet contrail

An ice crystal lunar halo around the gibbous moon with an aircraft jet contrail
February 9, 2014 - An ice crystal lunar halo around the gibbous moon, with an aircraft jet contrail shooting across the scene, with a jet at far right, heading west in a polar flight over Churchill

Background imagePrism Collection: High dynamic range photo of sundogs and a solar halo around the Sun

High dynamic range photo of sundogs and a solar halo around the Sun
December 19, 2013 - High dynamic range photo of sundogs and a solar halo around the Sun in Alberta, Canada. The halo is caused by ice crystals in the air

Background imagePrism Collection: Halo around full moon in a sky of cirrus clouds and contrails

Halo around full moon in a sky of cirrus clouds and contrails
A 22 degree halo around the full moon in a sky of high cirrus clouds and contrails. The moon sits above Orion in the winter sky. Orion is at bottom in the halo

Background imagePrism Collection: Lunar halo taken near Gleichen, Alberta, Canada

Lunar halo taken near Gleichen, Alberta, Canada
February 21, 2010 - Lunar halo taken near Gleichen, Alberta, Canada

Background imagePrism Collection: Solar halo and sundogs in southern Alberta, Canada

Solar halo and sundogs in southern Alberta, Canada
January 30, 2011 - Solar halo and sundogs in southern Alberta, Canada

Background imagePrism Collection: A solar halo around the Sun at the end of a snowy country road

A solar halo around the Sun at the end of a snowy country road
January 3, 2014 - A solar halo around the Sun at the end of a snowy country road in Alberta, Canada. A colored upper tangent arc is visible off the faint halo

Background imagePrism Collection: Halo around full moon taken near Gleichen, Alberta, Canada

Halo around full moon taken near Gleichen, Alberta, Canada
November 22, 2004 - Halo around full moon taken near Gleichen, Alberta, Canada

Background imagePrism Collection: An ice crystal halo around the first quarter moon

An ice crystal halo around the first quarter moon
January 27, 2015 - An ice crystal halo around the first quarter moon high in the northern winter sky near Pinos Altos, New Mexico

Background imagePrism Collection: Fire Island, New York. Close up of the Antique Fresnel lighthouse beacon

Fire Island, New York. Close up of the Antique Fresnel lighthouse beacon

Background imagePrism Collection: ASSYRIA: SENNACHERIB. Baked clay hexagonal prism inscribed with the annals of Sennacherib

ASSYRIA: SENNACHERIB. Baked clay hexagonal prism inscribed with the annals of Sennacherib, King of Assyria, describing especially his siege of Jerusalem under its king, Hezekiah

Background imagePrism Collection: Prismatic Fairy Fountain at an Exhibition in Hull

Prismatic Fairy Fountain at an Exhibition in Hull
The Prismatic (Multi-colour) Fairy Fountain at an Exhibition in Hull. The safe manufacturer Samuel Withers & Co. of West Bromwich, Birmingham can be seen in the background. Date: 1908

Background imagePrism Collection: N. A. USA, Hawaii, Lahaina Rainbow and town of Lahaina

N. A. USA, Hawaii, Lahaina Rainbow and town of Lahaina
USA, Hawaii, Lahaina, Rainbow and town of Lahaina

Background imagePrism Collection: N. A. USA, Hawaii, Maui Rainbow and sailboat

N. A. USA, Hawaii, Maui Rainbow and sailboat
USA, Hawaii, Maui, Rainbow and sailboat

Background imagePrism Collection: Rising sun, radiating and diffracting, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, Sierra Nevada

Rising sun, radiating and diffracting, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, Sierra Nevada, California

Background imagePrism Collection: Denali National Park, AK. A rainbow set against the Alaska Range near the Toklat River

Denali National Park, AK. A rainbow set against the Alaska Range near the Toklat River
North America, US, AK, Denali National Park, A rainbow set against the Alaska Range near the Toklat River

Background imagePrism Collection: Denali National Park, AK. A rainbow set against the mountains

Denali National Park, AK. A rainbow set against the mountains
North America, US, AK, Denali National Park, A rainbow set against the mountains

Background imagePrism Collection: Digital composite abstract of dew drops on flowers with flower field in one drop

Digital composite abstract of dew drops on flowers with flower field in one drop. Credit as: Steve Satushek / Jaynes Gallery / DanitaDelimont

Background imagePrism Collection: Diagram from Isaac Newtons Opticks, 1704, showing a beam of white light passing through a series

Diagram from Isaac Newtons Opticks, 1704, showing a beam of white light passing through a series of prisms
NEWTON DIAGRAM. Diagram from Isaac Newtons " Opticks, " 1704, showing a beam of white light passing through a series of prisms and lenses that split it into a colored spectrum

Background imagePrism Collection: Light: educational plate published Wurtemberg c. 1850, showing reflection and refraction

Light: educational plate published Wurtemberg c. 1850, showing reflection and refraction
Light: educational plate published Wurtemberg c.1850, showing reflection and refraction, light travelling in straight lines, a burning mirror (13) and Newtons prism experiment (27)

Background imagePrism Collection: Newtons experiment shows how beam of white light is refracted by prism & broken

Newtons experiment shows how beam of white light is refracted by prism & broken into colours of spectrum (right). Dotted line shows beam of light entering through window

Background imagePrism Collection: Isaac Newton (1642-1727) English scientist and mathematician, using a prism to break

Isaac Newton (1642-1727) English scientist and mathematician, using a prism to break white light into spectrum. With Cambridge room mate John Wickins. Engraving of 1874

Background imagePrism Collection: Drinking straws beneath a glass prism

Drinking straws beneath a glass prism

Background imagePrism Collection: Prism refracting light on glass triangle

Prism refracting light on glass triangle

Background imagePrism Collection: Beam of light refracted through a glass prism producing a colour spectrum, side view

Beam of light refracted through a glass prism producing a colour spectrum, side view

Background imagePrism Collection: Refraction, artwork C017 / 7065

Refraction, artwork C017 / 7065
Refraction. Computer artwork of a triangular prism refracting a beam of monochromatic light. Refraction is the change of direction of a wave when it passes from one medium to another

Background imagePrism Collection: Geometrical Constructions and Principles C017 / 3469

Geometrical Constructions and Principles C017 / 3469
Plate from 18th century encyclopedia showing the analysis of various geometrical concepts and constructions and principles

Background imagePrism Collection: Light Physics Diagrams and Instruments. C017 / 3472

Light Physics Diagrams and Instruments. C017 / 3472
Plate from 18th century encyclopedia showing light physics diagrams and instruments. Included are illustrations showing the splitting of white light into the colours of the spectrum

Background imagePrism Collection: Reflaction and Telescope Optics C017 / 3507

Reflaction and Telescope Optics C017 / 3507
Plate from 18th century encyclopedia showing diagrams of telescope optics, and light raypaths through prisms and lenses to the eye

Background imagePrism Collection: Light Raypaths through Lenses and Prisms C017 / 3485

Light Raypaths through Lenses and Prisms C017 / 3485
Plate from 18th century encyclopedia showing light raypaths through lenses and prisms, a magic lantern and a camera. Also shown is a method for calculating the height of buildings by using

Background imagePrism Collection: Refraction, artwork C017 / 7041

Refraction, artwork C017 / 7041
Refraction. Computer artwork of a triangular prism refracting a beam of yellow light. Refraction is the change of direction of a wave when it passes from one medium to another

Background imagePrism Collection: Creativity, conceptual artwork F006 / 3863

Creativity, conceptual artwork F006 / 3863
Creativity, conceptual computer artwork

Background imagePrism Collection: Prism refracting white light C018 / 8603

Prism refracting white light C018 / 8603
A glass prism demonstrating internal refractions of white light into the colour spectrum. This splitting of light into the spectrum is a result of the different amounts of refraction of the different




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"Exploring the Prism: Unveiling the Beauty of Light and Color" Step into the world of prisms, where science and art intertwine to reveal the wonders of light and color. From Newton's groundbreaking discoveries to modern spectrometers, these captivating devices have fascinated generations. In 1666, Sir Isaac Newton revolutionized our understanding of light with his seminal work "Opticks. " His experiments using a prism demonstrated how white sunlight could be split into its constituent colors, unraveling the secrets hidden within this seemingly ordinary phenomenon. Fast forward to 1860 when Bunsen and Kirchhoff introduced their remarkable invention - the spectroscope. This ingenious device allowed scientists to analyze light spectra emitted by various sources, opening new frontiers in fields like chemistry and astronomy. Traveling across England's picturesque Pennine Way, one might witness nature's own prism at play. A rainbow gracefully arches above the Schil mountain range, showcasing a vibrant spectrum that captivates all who behold it. Artistic representations also capture the allure of prisms. An illustration from Newton's experiment depicts sunlight bending through a glass prism, transforming into an array of mesmerizing hues. Geometric shapes take on new life as they refract light in stunning patterns reminiscent of Jan Wierix's masterpiece "Melencolia I. " Beyond scientific realms, prisms find their way into literature and culture. Oscar Wilde famously explored societal facades in his play "The Importance of Being Earnest, " metaphorically comparing human behavior to a prism that distorts reality. Mineral enthusiasts marvel at linarite crystals' striking blue hues as they refract light like miniature prisms themselves—a testament to nature's ability to create beauty through refraction. Even architectural marvels embrace prismatic elements; Fire Island’s Antique Fresnel lighthouse beacon stands tall as a symbol of both navigational safety and artistic craftsmanship—an enchanting fusion between function and aesthetics.