The Mystery of Light

[drigel]

....the Palantiri made some use of both light and Light to see not only into the distance but into time.

I am digging on the palantir angle, Lal!
If the palantiri were indeed crafted by Feanor, then it surely would have been during the Years of the Trees. Perhaps an ion or two of the Trees were "captured in a bottle" by Feanor, to be harnessed by the strong willed.

So the Palantiri must possess a quality akin to a telescope in that not only can the viewer see things far away in the present time but can see things in past times.

Sounds akin to gravitational lensing. oops sorry to throw another force of nature in the mix!