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International Day of Light
16 May, 2021
The International Day of Light celebrates the role light plays in science, culture and art, education and sustainable development, as well as in such fields as medicine, communications and energy. It is to enable these different sectors of society globally to participate in integrated activities that help to build the foundations for peaceful societies. The Day is on the anniversary of the first successful operation of the laser in 1960 by physicist and engineer, Theodore Maiman. This laser comprised a small synthetic rod with silvered ends producing a narrow beam of monochromatic light with a wavelength of approximately 694 nanometres. Some ideas for sharing an image (#SeeTheLight) that captures how light influences our lives include:
- how the science or technology of light improves our lives
- a natural phenomenon related to light or colour
- how light is used in art or culture
- working with or just enjoying light
- a photonics laboratory experiment
- a favourite book about light
- a favourite astronomical object or astrophotography
- use of optics in education.
