Refracting Collection

Light refraction
Refraction. Computer artwork of white light being refracted as it passes through an equilateral triangular prism. Light changes direction, or is refracted

Descartes optics theory, 17th century
Descartes optics theory, artwork. This is the eye diagram from Descartes book Optics (1637). Three external points are shown depicted on the retina at the back of the eye

Amateur astronomy, computer artwork
Amateur astronomy. Computer artwork of a silhouetted amateur astronomer using a telescope to view the Milky Way. The Milky Way is a band of stars in the night sky that is a view of our own spiral

An engraving depicting the refraction of a beam of light in a bowl of water
5311290 An engraving depicting the refraction of a beam of light in a bowl of water. The beam of light is bent because light changes direction as it moves from one medium to another (air to water)

Sir Norman Lockyer
5309992 Sir Norman Lockyer; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Sir Norman Lockyer observing the solar spectrum through multiple-prism spectroscope fitted to a refracting telescope)

An engraving depicting refraction: a piece of wood appearing to be bent where it enters the water because the path of
5311289 An engraving depicting refraction: a piece of wood appearing to be bent where it enters the water because the path of light alters as it moves from one medium to another

The 100 cm (40 in) refracting telescope in the Yerkes Observatory, Williams Bay, Wisconsin, United States of America
3473184 The 100 cm (40 in) refracting telescope in the Yerkes Observatory, Williams Bay, Wisconsin, United States of America , from Meyers Lexicon, pub

Refraction Shadow of the Moon
Carlo Kaminski

Projecting the image of the Sun through a refracting telescope in order to study sunspots
618937 Projecting the image of the Sun through a refracting telescope in order to study sunspots, illustration from Rosa Ursina by Christoph Scheiner, published in 1630 (engraving) by Italian School

The Four Seasons: Summer, c. 1919 (oil on canvas)
657921 The Four Seasons: Summer, c.1919 (oil on canvas) by Nevinson, Christopher Richard Wynne (1889-1946); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Four Seasons: Summer)

The Four Seasons: Spring, c. 1919 (oil on canvas)
657920 The Four Seasons: Spring, c.1919 (oil on canvas) by Nevinson, Christopher Richard Wynne (1889-1946); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Four Seasons: Spring)

Burning Mirrors, Stanzio della Mattematica, 1587-1609 (fresco)
BEN193698 Burning Mirrors, Stanzio della Mattematica, 1587-1609 (fresco) by Parigi, Giulio (1571-1635) (attr.to); Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence, Tuscany, Italy; Photo eRaffaello Bencini; Italian

Refraction and total internal reflection C017 / 7124
Refraction and total internal reflection. Computer artwork showing several beams of light originating inside an optically dense medium (blue). A less dense medium (black) is above)

Engraving depicting a telescope built by Joseph von Fraunhofer, 19th century
Engraving depicting a telescope built by Joseph von Fraunhofer

Engraving depicting an astronomer and assistant observing Mercury, Venus and Jupiter, 20th century
Engraving depicting an astronomer and his assistant observing Mercury, Venus and Jupiter

Newtons optics. Coloured artwork of the English physicist Isaac Newton (1642-1727) conducting his famous experiment on light

Refracting stereoscope, 1852
Diagram of a refracting stereoscope, 1852. Date: 1852

SCHEINER, Christoph (1575-1650). Physicist and astronomer in Ingolstadt. Projecting the image of the Sun through a refracting telescope on to a screen in order to study sunpots. Engraving

Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, California, USA. It includes a planetarium, a hall of science and a refracting telescope

Dr Syntax showing young lady the stars with small refracting telescope typical of this date, while manservant trips over dog and falls headlong down steps

Hevelius observing through refracting telescope on stand fitted with quadrant and plumb-bob so altitude of object observed could be noted

Long focal length refracting telescope, 1728. The lenses for this instrument were by Francesco Campani, Italian lens maker of Bologna. From Hesperi et Phosphori nova Phenomena by Francesco Bianchini

Refracting telescope without a tube, designed by Christiaan Huyghens c1650. From an edition of his Opera Varia, 1724. Engraving

Large refracting telescope at the Potsdam Astrophysical Observatory, Germany. Engraving from Die Naturkrafte by Wilhelm M Meyer (Leipzig, 1903)

The equatorial coude refracting telescope, Paris Observatory, France - aperture 7.5cm. The tube is bent and light fed to the observer by two mirrors

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

Diamond sheet, artwork C017 / 7075
Diamond sheet, Computer artwork of a diamond background sheet. Diamond has a high refractive index and dispersion of light

Refraction, artwork C017 / 7069
Refraction. Computer artwork showing light beams passing through a biconvex, or converging, lens. Refraction is the change of direction of a wave when it passes from one medium to another

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

Refraction, artwork C017 / 7066
Refraction. Computer artwork of a triangular prism refracting three parallel beams of monochromatic light. Refraction is the change of direction of a wave when it passes from one medium to another

Refraction, artwork C017 / 7064
This image may not be used in educational posters Refraction. Computer artwork showing light beams passing through a biconcave, or diverging, lens

Refraction, artwork C017 / 7094
Refraction. Computer artwork of diverging light beams passing through a glass sphere and converging to the right of the sphere

Refraction, artwork C017 / 7034
Refraction. Computer artwork of a triangular prism refracting a beam of red light. Refraction is the change of direction of a wave when it passes from one medium to another

Refraction, artwork C017 / 7091
Refraction. Computer artwork of light beams passing through a glass block at different angles. Refraction is the change of direction of a wave when it passes from one medium to another

Double refraction in a calcite crystal C013 / 6638
Double refraction (birefringrnce) in a calcite crystal. this phenomenon occurs where a material is not uniform and affects light differently in different directions (anisotropy)

Double refraction in a calcite crystal C013 / 6637
Double refraction (birefringrnce) in a calcite crystal. this phenomenon occurs where a material is not uniform and affects light differently in different directions (anisotropy)

Yerkes Telescope - worlds largest refracting telescope 40 inch - Wisconsin USA
BMD-282 Yerkes Telescope - worlds largest refracting telescope 40 inch Wisconsin USA Brian McDairmant contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Rainbow optics, historical artwork
Formation of a rainbow, coloured historical artwork. The diagram shows the paths of two beams of light from the Sun (top left corner)

Total lunar eclipse. Sequence of optical images of the total eclipse of the Moon of 9th January 2001. The sequence runs from top right to bottom left

Shortsightedness. Artwork of section through an eyeball affected by shortsightedness, or myopia. This is a condition in which distant objects appear blurred

Moon dog. Also known as a mock moon, this optical atmospheric effect is seen as bright areas on either side of the Moon. A similar effect is also seen with the Sun, known as a Sun dog or mock sun

Green tiger beetle wing
Green tiger beetle. Close-up of the wing of a Green tiger beetle (Cicindela campestris), showing the surface pits that refract and reflect light to give an iridescent appearance

Eclipsing star, artwork
Eclipsing star. Artwork of a planet passing in front of a star, with the stars light refracting around the planets atmosphere

Great Equatorial Telescope Paris 1860
Engraving of the Great Equatorial Telescope of the Paris Observatory. This view shows an equatorially mounted refracting telescope of 31 cm (12.8 inch) aperture made by the French maker Lerebours

Surface of a lens

Refraction in water waves. Waves of water travel more slowly in shallower areas. Therefore when waves move into a shallower area they bend (refract) at the boundary

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

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

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"Refracting: Unveiling the Secrets of Light and Optics in the 17th Century" In the realm of optics, one cannot overlook Descartes' groundbreaking theories that revolutionized our understanding of light refraction. Dating back to the 17th century, his profound insights paved the way for remarkable discoveries. Amateur astronomers have long been captivated by this phenomenon, as depicted in mesmerizing computer artwork showcasing refracted beams illuminating celestial bodies. One such spectacle is the Refraction Shadow of the Moon, a breathtaking display that leaves stargazers in awe. The study of sunspots has also benefited from refractive technology. By projecting an image through a refracting telescope, scientists can delve into these enigmatic solar features with unprecedented clarity and precision. Artists too have found inspiration in refraction's ethereal beauty. "The Four Seasons: Summer, " an oil painting from c. 1919, captures nature's vibrant hues bending under sunlight's prism-like touch. Similarly, "The Four Seasons: Spring" portrays blossoms bathed in radiant colors as they dance with refracted light. Centuries ago, Stanzio della Mattematica immortalized burning mirrors through frescoes - devices harnessing concentrated sunlight via refraction for various purposes like heating or warfare. Advancements continued with inventions like Christoph Scheiner's pioneering refracting stereoscope in 1852 - a device enabling viewers to experience captivating three-dimensional imagery through clever manipulation of light rays. Today, Griffith Observatory stands tall as a testament to humanity's fascination with optics and astronomy. Nestled amidst Los Angeles' bustling streets, it serves as a beacon for those seeking knowledge about our universe and its interplay with light refraction. Joseph von Fraunhofer further expanded horizons by constructing telescopes capable of capturing intricate details previously unseen by human eyes. Engravings from the 19th century depict these marvels that forever changed our perception of the cosmos.