Newton and the Mystery of the Major Sixth 129
Figure 8.4
Newton ’ s rings. (a) A modern recreation of his experiment using two plano-convex lenses pressed against each
other, showing the characteristic moir é pattern. (b) Newton ’ s diagram of the appearance of the rings, their colors
in relation to the curved lenses, and their explanation in terms of his “ fits of easy transmission, ” from his Opticks
(1704).AB