20 illuminating, enlightening, day-brightening facts about light
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.
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About PI
Perimeter Institute is the world’s largest research hub devoted to theoretical physics. The independent Institute was founded in 1999 to foster breakthroughs in the fundamental understanding of our universe, from the smallest particles to the entire cosmos. Research at Perimeter is motivated by the understanding that fundamental science advances human knowledge and catalyzes innovation, and that today’s theoretical physics is tomorrow’s technology. Located in the Region of Waterloo, the not-for-profit Institute is a unique public-private endeavour, including the Governments of Ontario and Canada, that enables cutting-edge research, trains the next generation of scientific pioneers, and shares the power of physics through award-winning educational outreach and public engagement.
