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Spherical harmonics

Spherical harmonics are mathematical functions that describe how shapes and signals can vary over the surface of a sphere. Think of them as a set of tools used to break down complex spherical shapes or patterns into simpler, understandable parts. They are useful in various fields, including physics, engineering, and computer graphics, allowing us to model things like planetary surfaces, sound waves, or electromagnetic fields. By combining these functions, we can accurately represent and analyze a wide range of phenomena that naturally occur in a spherical context.