Ice crystal oddity?

[risingwolf]

Frost this morning so I went out and took some macro shots. Did not see this rainbow beam until I enlarged the image on the computer. I am not a crystal expert but I have never seen this phenomenon before.

Comments are encouraged (except on the dof)

[Donald]

I think .................

Comments are encouraged (except on the dof)

oops - Okay!

Dave Sorry, I've missed your last couple of posts. Good to see you here again.

I'm afraid that one has got me. I'm sure one of the more scientific minds on here will provide the answer.

[Dizzy]

Dave, the light is refracting through one of the crystals, and that is creating the full color spectrum
that you see there. It's an excellent capture of the prism effect, and it's interesting that the ice crystal
was shaped just right to produce the broad color spectrum in your image.

Mike

[risingwolf]

Thanks for the input. I have several crystals that give a rainbow effect but the length is what I do not understand. I wonder if it is the layers in the ice crystal that give it the repeating effect. Ah, the wonders of nature

[Steaphany]

Thanks for the input. I have several crystals that give a rainbow effect but the length is what I do not understand. I wonder if it is the layers in the ice crystal that give it the repeating effect. Ah, the wonders of nature

Yes, as the layer thickness varies, you will get more wavelengths which is why at one end you get pure bright colors and pastels at the other end.

[Donald]

Ah, the wonders of nature

Yes, as the layer thickness varies, you will get more wavelengths which is why at one end you get pure bright colors and pastels at the other end.

And, 'aahh' in awe of those who understand and can explain all these things. Science and maths just went completely over my head in school and I acknowledge how ignorant I am in relation to so many fascinating things that make our world tick.