The European Physical Society has initiated a drive to get the United Nations to proclaim 2015 as the International Year of Light.
Light plays a central role in human activities in science, technology and culture. Light itself underpins the existence of life, and light-based technologies will guide and drive the future development of human society. Light and optics have revolutionized medicine, have opened up international communication via the Internet, and continue to be central to linking cultural, economic and political aspects of the global society. Advances in lighting and solar energy are considered crucial for future sustainable development.
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I think making 2015 the International Year of Light is a great idea. Of all the physics, understanding light and more generally electromagnetic radiation, has had a huge impact on society as well as all branches of science and engineering.
2005 was the International Year of Physics, 2009 was the International Year of Astronomy and 2011 is the International Year of Chemistry. It seems fitting that 2015 be the year of light, lets see why…
- 1815 Fresnel published his first works on light as a wave.
- 1865 Maxwell mathematically described electromagnetic phenomena via his now famous equations.
- 1915 Einstein developed general relativity, which shows that light is fundamental in understanding space-time and gravity.
- 1965 Penzias and Wilson discover the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR).
Let us hope the United Nations agree on the importance of light in all our lives and declare 2015 The International Year of Light.