Identify this Phenomenon
Credit:
Walter Lewin
(MIT)
What caused this ring of colors?
At the time of this writing,
MIT Physics
Professor Walter Lewin had yet to find someone who can give the correct
explanation.
Not students.
Not colleagues.
Not APOD editors.
He wonders how the
astute readers of APOD will do.
Can you match wits with Professor Lewin?
Lewin took the
above picture
in a construction area in Massachusetts on June 20.
Your answer should be able to
explain the
color sequence and the
bright area in the center.
Shortly after he gives the explanation on
December 7 during a lecture in his course
Vibrations and Waves at MIT,
APOD will carry a link to it.
A discussion page for this image will be held in the
APOD Forum on
the Asterisk*.
Additionally, Professor Lewin will answer
appropriate e-mail questions and guesses sent to
asklewin@space.mit.edu.