View Single Post
  #15   Report Post  
nestork nestork is offline
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2,498
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob F View Post
White paint reflects almost as much energy as a mirror, but not directionally like a mirror, so less of the reflection might make it to space than a mirror's reflection.
The difference between light reflecting off a mirror and light reflecting off a white roof is the difference between "specular" reflection and "diffuse" reflection.



Here's an example of "specular" reflection (off the cold calm water of Icy Bay, Alaska).

Last edited by nestork : March 27th 13 at 05:29 AM