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A 360º
Structure of the Scale
Spectrum degree (°Λ)
A single-nanometre light wavelength of hue in the human visible spectrum
Visible Spectrum (Λ)
Human vision typically covers a 360 nanometre (nm) range of light wavelengths (λ) in the electromagnetic spectrum from 380 to 740 nm
Spectrum Compass
1°Λ = 1° = 1nm λ
Each Spectrum Degree (°Λ) maps it’s corresponding hues wavelength to a 1° arc on a 360° circular compass & progresses clockwise from the end of ultraviolet 1°Λ (381 nm λ) to the beginning of infrared 359°Λ (739 nm λ)
Note: The overlap point 0°Λ & 360°Λ (380 nm λ & 740 nm λ) is where visible light begins & ends (black or zero hue)
Pure hues only:
The structural backbone of all colour.
This scale doesn't apply to colours that are combinations of multiple wavelengths such as Pinks, browns, or greys, Tints (hue + white) & Shades (hue + black)
Examples
0°Λ = 380nmλ Black
End of the invisible Ultraviolet spectrum
1°Λ = 381nmλ Deep Violet
Start of the human visible light spectrum
180°Λ = 560nmλ Yellow-Green
The most sensitive peak point of human vision (560nmλ) is cleanly & neatly defined as 180°Λ, the midpoint of visible hue as well as a circle
359°Λ = 739nmλ Deep Tempa
End of the human visible light spectrum
360°Λ = 740nmλ Black
Start of the invisible Infrared spectrum
Symbols
λ (Lowercase Lambda) is the standard symbol for Wavelength, measured in nanometres (nm)
Λ (Uppercase Lambda) is the proposed symbol for Spectrum, measured in Degrees (º)
Please note: "Spectrum" here specifically refers to the typical human-visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum.λ = Wavelength
nm = Nanometres
Λ = Spectrum
º = Degrees
Precision Measurement
Most humans can only differentiate hue increments of 1 to 2ºΛ.
Therefore for most practical applications, smaller & more precise Spectrum Degree increments are unnecessary.
However if you wish to do so in your practice or have found a niche application for Spectrum Degrees, then..
ºΛ follows the same notation system as angles or time
Each 1ºΛ is divided into 60'Λ
(One Degree Spectrum equals Sixty Minutes Spectrum)Single Prime / Quote ( ' ) means minutesEach 1'Λ is divided into 60"Λ
(One Minute Spectrum equals Sixty Seconds Spectrum)Double Prime / Quote ( " ) means secondsConversion
Convert Spectrum Degrees (°Λ) to wavelength (λ)
°Λ + 380 = λ
Example calculation:180°Λ + 380 = 560nm
Convert Wavelength (λ) to Spectrum Degrees (°Λ)
λ − 380 = °Λ
Example calculation:560nm − 380 = 180°Λ
**Images provided are only very rough approximations**The real intention of this page was not to provide actual samples but rather a description of the Spectrum Degrees concept so that others may apply the concept to their practice
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