Now reading: 20 illuminating, enlightening, day-brightening facts about light
Menu
Close
Close

Take a self-guided tour from quantum to cosmos!

20 illuminating, enlightening, day-brightening facts about light

In celebration of the International Year of Light, Perimeter Institute presents 20 fascinating factoids about photons.

The United Nations has declared 2015 the International Year of Light, to showcase “to the citizens of the world the importance of light and optical technologies in their lives, for their futures, and for the development of society.”

Light is absolutely fundamental to theoretical physics, from Einstein’s general relativity to the quantum computers of the not-too-distant future. It literally and figuratively lights up our lives in ways too numerous to list, so we stuck with just 20.

Scroll down and let the trillions of photons stimulate your optic nerves to perceive colours and shapes and pithy factoids, and enjoy.


01OceanLight%20copy


02bioluminescent


03Photons%20%283%29


04Sun%20copy_0


05Bulb%20copy


06Sneeze%20copy_0


07Bees%20copy_0


08Niagara%20copy


09Ants%20copy


10Plants%20copy


11LightSail%20copy


13Frogs%20copy


12WhiteSun%20copy


15Led%20copy


16Firefly%20copy


14Newton%20copy


17Sun%20copy


18BlackHoles%20copy


19Rainbows%20copy


20DoubleRainbow


MORE BITES OF PI:

Related

Still trying to find the perfect present for the physics lover on your list? Our latest gift guide is sure to inspire. It’s science.

/Dec 15, 2022

Perimeter researchers propose a new type of quantum matter that may help forge a new path to understanding quantum matter more broadly.

/Sep 30, 2022

A round-up of what’s up: the latest news from Perimeter, a look at the recent work of researchers and alumni, gems from the archive, and fun physics for everyone.

/Apr 12, 2022