Interesting Optical Phenomenon

In summary, the conversation discusses a phenomenon of lines with a purplish hue that appear to be about 2 feet apart and are caused by either the alignment of tree limbs or the reflection of sunlight off of another surface. The speaker suggests getting down on the ground and looking at the bright spots to determine the cause. It is also mentioned that the lines may be caused by the reflection from two vertical windows on a neighbor's house. The speaker discovered this by tracing the light with a black surface.
  • #1
bob012345
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TL;DR Summary
Light coming through tree branches makes two bright lines on the ground. Please help me identify what is happening. Thanks.
The lines have a slight purplish hue to them (at least reflected from leaves) and are about 2 feet apart. Here are images of the lines and the sun through the tree.

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  • #2
I'd guess it's either caused by the way the tree limbs are aligned with each other, or by reflection of sunlight off of another surface. Get down on the ground and stick your eye in one of the bright spots and then move back and forth along it. You should find out very quickly what's causing them.
 
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  • #3
Drakkith said:
stick your eye in one of the bright spots
...carefully, because that's the Sun you're looking at. Putting your hand on one of the lines and back-tracing the light by moving your hand away while keeping its shadow on the line might be safer.
 
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  • #4
I discovered what this effect is caused by. As @Drakkith suggested it's simple reflection from two vertical narrow windows on my next door neighbor's house. Here is a 2D model (looking down from above) although the sun is of course also at a vertical angle which explains why the lines have only a certain length on the ground. I discovered this by using a black surface to trace where the light originated from. Science!

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FAQ: Interesting Optical Phenomenon

What is an optical phenomenon?

An optical phenomenon is any observable event or occurrence related to light and its interaction with matter. This can include things like refraction, reflection, diffraction, and scattering.

What are some examples of interesting optical phenomena?

Some examples of interesting optical phenomena include rainbows, mirages, auroras, and the green flash at sunset. Other examples include the double-slit experiment, where light behaves as both a wave and a particle, and the Doppler effect, where the frequency of light changes when the source or observer is in motion.

How do optical illusions work?

Optical illusions are created when our brains interpret visual information in a way that does not match reality. This can happen due to the way light is reflected, refracted, or absorbed by objects in our environment. Our brains then try to make sense of this information, often leading to a distorted perception of what we are seeing.

Can optical phenomena be explained by science?

Yes, optical phenomena can be explained by science. Scientists use various theories and principles, such as the laws of optics and the properties of light, to understand and explain different optical phenomena. Through experimentation and observation, scientists are constantly uncovering new information about these phenomena and how they occur.

How can we use optical phenomena in everyday life?

Optical phenomena have a wide range of practical applications in everyday life. For example, lenses and mirrors are used in glasses, cameras, and telescopes to correct vision and create images. Fiber optics technology uses the principles of refraction to transmit information through thin strands of glass or plastic. Optical illusions can also be used in art and design to create visually striking images.

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