Mirascope Demonstration

Mirascope Closeup

The mirascope consists of two parabolic mirrors that project a hologram from the center of the bottom mirror to an empty space at the top. Simply by placing a small object in the bottom of the mirascope (anything from 1 to 4 cm in diameter works well), one can view an image of the same object shifted to the top of the mirascope. A coin, polyhedral dice, or even a pool of water all make good objects for holograms.

Mirascope Optics

How is the hologram created? The mirascope is formed by placing two parabolic mirrors on top of one another. The geometry of a single parabolic mirror is such that all light leaving the focus is reflected directly upward in parallel paths. When the second mirror is placed upside-down on top of the first, it creates an inverted image at the second focus.

The best viewing angle is approximately 45 degrees -- the illusion won't work for angles close to horizontal, where the image appears to recess into the mirascope, or vertical, where the actual object becomes visible at the bottom of the mirascope. It works well to stage the mirascope on a raised table around a corner, so that viewers are confronted with the hologram near this ideal angle.


Safety Information: None.
Location: Shelf F1
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