4 pictures show an ocean scene, the Great Barrier Reef, taken through a polarizing filter held in front of the camera Horizontally, Vertically and at 45 degrees


These four pictures show the Great Barrier Reef, taken through a polarizing filter, which has been held in front of the camera horizontally, vertically, and at 45º. Using these pictures, we can examine aspects of the nature of polarized light in the environment, such as the angle of polarized light. The fourth image, coded with color, shows that much of the water -- at least when looking along the front of the reef -- is horizontally polarized (coded here as red).

Related Links

Deep Scope 2004

Deep Scope: Secret Communication Channels in the Ocean: Polarization vision

NOAA Ocean Explorer Gallery