What Causes the Color Shifts and Spherical Aberration in Eyeglasses?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the phenomena of color shifts and spherical aberration observed in eyeglasses. Participants explore the nature of these optical effects, particularly in relation to how light refracts through lenses at different angles, and the implications of chromatic and spherical aberration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes observing color shifts (blue and red edges) when viewing objects through glasses at an angle, suggesting a potential refraction effect.
  • Another participant proposes that the observed effect may be similar to that of a prism, raising questions about why only blue and red edges appear, akin to Doppler shifts.
  • There is speculation about the mixing of intermediate colors, with one participant suggesting that this could lead to a perception of white light.
  • Concerns are raised about the nature of Doppler shifts, with a participant noting that they typically affect the entire spectrum rather than producing only red or blue shifts.
  • A participant expresses frustration over the lack of answers, questioning whether they have discovered something new regarding these optical phenomena.
  • Another participant asserts that the observed effect is chromatic aberration, which is a well-understood phenomenon, while the original poster expresses satisfaction in identifying it.
  • The discussion also touches on spherical aberration, with a participant explaining that it occurs when rays of light do not converge at a single point due to the spherical shape of lenses or mirrors.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the nature of the color shifts, with some suggesting it relates to chromatic aberration while others question the explanation. The discussion on spherical aberration appears to be more straightforward, with a clearer explanation provided.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the specific mechanisms behind the observed color shifts and the relationship to chromatic aberration. The discussion also reflects varying levels of understanding about optical phenomena among participants.

vin300
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When I look through my glasses at an inclination to the normal to the plane of the eye I see one vertical edge of a stationary object or at least an edge with a vertical length component to be blue and the other red.
It is like when the angle is measured anticlockwise the near edge of the object appears blue and the far red; it is the other way for clockwise measurements.
The bluening and reddening also intensify with increase in the inclination. Which is the phenomenon in picture?
 
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It sounds like you are seeing a refraction effect similar to that of a prism.
 
mathman said:
It sounds like you are seeing a refraction effect similar to that of a prism.
Why only blue and red edges like doppler shifts then?
 
vin300 said:
Why only blue and red edges like doppler shifts then?


My guess: the intermediate colors got mixed so it looks white.
 
vin300 said:
Why only blue and red edges like doppler shifts then?

Doppler shifts don't make things only red or blue. They shift the entire spectrum upward ("blue") or downward ("red").
 
mathman said:
My guess: the intermediate colors got mixed so it looks white.
The intermediate color is green. It does not mix up with itself to get white.
Well, white light is refracted in a prism, you mean every ray of white light I see must be refracted to give constituent colors; but only the vertical edges change color when I make a "no" twist and the horizontal when a "yes" move (of the neck) so the object makes an inclination.
 
Ok I know nobody of you have an answer to this.
It has been a mystery for the past year.
Is it time to claim that I've discovered it?
 
vin300 said:
Ok I know nobody of you have an answer to this.
It has been a mystery for the past year.
Is it time to claim that I've discovered it?
This is not a mystery. You have "discovered" chromatic aberration - something that has been well-understood for a very long time.
 
turbo-1 said:
This is not a mystery. You have "discovered" chromatic aberration - something that has been well-understood for a very long time.
Right, I found it. It was deleted from the syllabus!
At least now I know what it is.
And what is spherical aberration?
I must say I have a satisfaction I never had
 
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  • #10
And what is spherical aberration?
When rays (parallel from a distant object) hit a lens or a mirror getting the rays to focus at one point requires a parabolic shape. For practical purposes, the mirror or lens has a spherical shape, so that the focus is slightly fuzzy. This is called spherical aberration.
 

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