Rainbows, Halos and Glories

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Summary: The definitive textbook on atmospheric optical effects.
Review: This is the standard textbook on atmospheric optical effects, by the Professor of Physics at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. His book features precise explanations of the physics behind all optical atmospheric phenomena, from halos and parhelia to sun pillars, Parry's arcs, glories and the "Spectre of the Brocken". Computer modeling is used to recreate light rays through ice crystals in various orientations to explain the changing shapes of atmospheric optical effects with different angles between the sun and the horizon. But scientific precision also comes with a very readable text. Over a hundred color photographs illustrate some of the beautiful visual effects that can be seen in the sky. Interesting sidelines are also explored, such as making and photographing your own infra-red rainbow! Finally, various intriguing puzzles are left for the reader to solve, such as the photograph shown on the cover of the book - how can there be a rainbow over a snow-covered landscape? For those who really want to understand the optics of atmospheric effects, this book is required reading.