An Unimportant Observation

[Brook]

This observation means nothing really, but after looking a lots of before and after photos, mainly of swirls, it's amazing to me that swirls form precise geometric circular patterns. Given the causes of swirls and the fact that the damage (regardless of the cause) is not inflicted in precise geometric movements, it makes me wonder why the swirls appear that way--from any angle or viewpoint.

[Murr1525]

Re: An Unimportant Observation

I think it is something to do with the light source, and how the light reflects, etc.

[Shizane2002]

Re: An Unimportant Observation

Yeah its about the light dispersal over the angles of the swirl lines. Especially in sunlight. The source of the observation is your eyes from a single, narrow point of view. What your eyes see is the respective reflecting angles of light from the swirlies....forming a circular appearance.


Its either that...or Im talking out of my rear end. I dont know the actual science of this....but what I said makes sense to me lol.

[Jeff120]

Re: An Unimportant Observation

Funny, I was just wondering the same thing today as I was removing the swirls from my hood, thinking, if this is from my previous improper washing, how did I get perfect swirls?

[cnfowler]

Re: An Unimportant Observation

It is from the way the light reflects off the surface. That's why the swirls 'appear' to diminish further away from the light source.

Mike Phillips posted about this some time ago. Please don't ask me to dig that one up. I could be here all night!

Colin

[cnfowler]

Re: An Unimportant Observation

Ok, so it took me a few seconds. I never thought it would be that easy!!

Explanation of Swirls

Colin

[Fly Bye]

Re: An Unimportant Observation

As for accumulated cobweb swirls, they aren't really a circular pattern anyway; they are comprised of a huge number of short, randomly scattered scratches that may or may not have some curvature to them. Just remember, they show in a circular pattern under a sharp source of light (like a swirl finder light or harsh, direct sunlight) but when you move the circular pattern appears to move with you. If it was truly a circular pattern the center of the circle wouldn't just move - it's an "artificial center" caused by the way the direct light is reflected off the sharp edge of the randomly scattered scratches.

There ya have it, from the Jedi Master himself

[Michael Stoops]

Re: An Unimportant Observation

It's sort of an optical illusion, really, and not a series of perfect circles. As was quoted above (ignore the Jedi Master part though ) the pattern appears to move as you move, or as the light source moves. The marks themselves sure aren't moving!