Carl Klutzke (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} sirvalence) wrote,@ 2008-02-06 07:53:00 |
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| Entry tags: | questions |
Indigo, Sand Dollars, Comedogenic
1. Why is there a seventh color-indigo-in the rainbow, that isn't discussed in optics? What does indigo look like, anyway?
2. Where do sand dollars come from?
3. We have some skin lotion that says it is "non-comedogenic". Does that mean that it won't start something funny?
1. I'm just going to quote this verbatim: "Indigo is the color on the electromagnetic spectrum between about 420 and 450 nm in wavelength, placing it between blue and violet. Indigo is neither an additive primary color nor a subtractive primary color. It was named and defined by Isaac Newton when he divided up the optical spectrum (which is a continuum of frequencies). He specifically named seven colors primarily to match the seven notes of a western major scale, because he believed sound and light were physically similar, but also to link colors with the (known) planets, days of the week, and other lists that had seven items. Humans do not tend to recognize indigo as a separate hue category between blue and violet. For this reason, some commentators, including Isaac Asimov, have suggested that indigo should not be regarded as a color in its own right but merely as a shade of blue or violet. Color scientists typically divide the spectrum at about 450 nm between violet and blue, with no indigo." (Wikipedia)
I personally find it a very attractive color, but it's hard to be sure on these LCD monitors. (I printed something pale blue from my laptop yesterday and it came out a sickly pale green.) The name of the color comes from the plant-based dye (familiar to those who play Puerto Rico), which is distinctly blue, and not purplish at all.
2. They're the shells of sea creatures, closely related to the sea urchin. I knew that already, but mostly wanted to see what they look like when they are alive: Wikipedia has pictures. Frankly, this is the only creature I can think of that's more attractive dead than alive.
3. A skincare product that is comedogenic clogs the pores, producing acne. (Wikipedia) "Comedo" is a technical term for a blackhead. Originally it was Latin for "glutton", but became associated with maggots due to their eating habits, and later someone noticed a visual resemblance between a maggot and an extruding blackhead. How nice. (marthabarnette.com) The word "comedy" is apparently unrelated, deriving from a Classical Greek word for a village revel. (Wikipedia)
I personally find it a very attractive color, but it's hard to be sure on these LCD monitors. (I printed something pale blue from my laptop yesterday and it came out a sickly pale green.) The name of the color comes from the plant-based dye (familiar to those who play Puerto Rico), which is distinctly blue, and not purplish at all.
2. They're the shells of sea creatures, closely related to the sea urchin. I knew that already, but mostly wanted to see what they look like when they are alive: Wikipedia has pictures. Frankly, this is the only creature I can think of that's more attractive dead than alive.
3. A skincare product that is comedogenic clogs the pores, producing acne. (Wikipedia) "Comedo" is a technical term for a blackhead. Originally it was Latin for "glutton", but became associated with maggots due to their eating habits, and later someone noticed a visual resemblance between a maggot and an extruding blackhead. How nice. (marthabarnette.com) The word "comedy" is apparently unrelated, deriving from a Classical Greek word for a village revel. (Wikipedia)
