Question about perception of colors around light sources

[filipg]

When I look at a distant light source (like car headlights, or street lamp lights) I notice colors of the visible spectrum (as separated (as in after prism refraction)) immediately around it and it's not just around white light sources.

It becomes more obvious if you place something with a straight edge between your eyes and the light source and fix it so that you see only a bit of light coming over the edge of the object.

Why is this?

 

[Bobbywhy]

filipg, Welcome to Physics Forums!

You have observed "optical diffraction". You may do searches on that term for study, and you may start with this short and clear explanation: http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/opt/mch/diff.rxml

 

[filipg]

OK, thanks!