If you’re looking for some inspiration to help write a poem about the beauty of iridescence, here are some helpful links:
- You’ll need 10 minutes or so to watch this excellent science lecture for children. Here’s Beetles Bubbles and Butterflies: The Origins of Iridescence from the Science Bag – University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA.
- Or try this page from Yale Scientific which explains what causes iridescence including some vivid photo examples.
- How Stuff Works has a diagram about getting the right light wavelengths to create iridescent colours requires two surfaces that reflect light waves in a constructive interference pattern.
- Live Science suggests that some insect iridescence helps confuse the animals trying to eat those insects. Many birds, such as the peacock (image featured) boasts how fit they are by having iridescent feathers to help them lure a mate.
- The shapes and surface patterns of butterfly wing scales are what create their iridescent colours. The Daily Mail UK shared these detailed photos, one of which is displayed next:
Finally, Live Science reveals that even some feathered dinosaurs had iridescent colouring too!