FAQ
My picture has more than one light source. What should I do?
The ideal image to classify would show an isolated light source and its spectrum on a black background, but this is not the most common case you will find in the image set.
If you find more than one light source, please identify the most important point-like one and choose it as your target. Then use the light source tool to select it and don't worry if the spectrum is a bit overexposed like the one in the following picture:
Which light do I choose if all look equally important?
Some times the picture is taken far away from several light sources. In that case, your task consists of identifying the nearest, brightest one. If all look exactly the same to you, then choose the bottom left light source.
What if there are so many that the spectra overlap?
This would be the case in the following pictures. They may look too complicated to classify at first, but it is totally doable! Even if you find the classification complicated, we always prefer you to make a guess better than just clicking the ‘Next’ option.
In the left picture below we see multiple spectra of fluorescent lamps inside the offices.
In the right one the main contribution are LED and HPS lamps from a long series of lights.
What should I do if the light source is missing?
The image below has a very good spectrum but the image source is missing. To complete your task select a point of the image edge where the spectrum points at. Remember that the light source is in the direction of the Blue part of the spectrum.
How do I proceed with pictures of extended light sources?
We ask volunteers to take pictures far away from the light sources because spectra is easier to identify. However, some times we find images taken at extended diffused light sources, such as panels, billboards, illuminated signs or Neon lights.
Even if they don't look like the typical spectrum we would love you to classify them anyway. As a trick you can keep in mind that the colors of the images that appear correspond to the emission lines. Try to do your best!
What about artistic images?
Sometimes, observers can’t avoid taking and uploading artistic images. Even if they are not as easy to classify we encourage everyone to make their best guess!
