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West Side Canvas: Chasing Rainbows With Robert Beck on the Upper West Side
West Side Rag • • science
Key Points:
- Robert Beck expresses a fascination with meteorological phenomena, particularly rainbows, highlighting their unique, ephemeral, and almost supernatural quality compared to other weather events like sunsets or storms.
- He explains the scientific basis of rainbows as deconstructed sunlight reflected and refracted through water droplets, requiring specific positioning of the sun, observer, and moisture to be visible, typically when the sun is low in the sky.
- Beck notes that rainbows are culturally significant and universally recognized symbols of happiness and wonder, often drawn by children, but their true appearance and formation are more complex than the simple arcs commonly depicted.
- He describes the phenomenon of a secondary rainbow, which appears outside the primary one with reversed color order and dimmer intensity, caused by light reflecting twice inside water droplets.
- Beck invites readers to explore more of his work and connect with him through his website and interviews, emphasizing his ongoing engagement with the Upper West Side community and its cultural themes.
