Category Archives: Optics

Are Amateur Satellite Watchers a Security Risk?

Posted on 6 May 2012 by

A 01 May item on the Scientific American website describes some of the exploits of amateur satellite trackers who have successfully spotted and tracked some of the government’s most secret spy satellites. The article asks, “As consumer telescopes and techniques improve, will there be implications for national security?” Continue reading →

Posted in Instrumentation, Invention, Optics, Physics, Space, Stories | Leave a comment

A DIY Stereo-Zoom Microscope

Posted on 5 May 2012 by

A stereo-zoom microscope is a stereoscopic microscope in which the variation of magnification is continuous. What is the main advantage of such an instrument? It is to be able to adjust the magnification to suit yourself. Continue reading →

Posted in Instrumentation, Invention, Microbiology, Microscopy, Optics, Projects | 1 Comment

Transits of Venus, Then and Now

Posted on 25 February 2012 by

The American Philosophical Society (APS) Museum in Philadelphia will be presenting 10 days of activities in conjunction with the Transit of Venus on June 5th including an exhibition with original instruments created for the observation of the 1769 transit. Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Breaking News, Experimentation, History of Science, Invention, Optics | Leave a comment

New Wanderings, February 2012

Posted on 1 February 2012 by

In this month’s Feature I will present a bevy of simple spectroscopes that can be build for little or no cost and perhaps enable you to do some real science. Continue reading →

Posted in Amateur Science, General Interest, Optics, Projects, Wanderings | 1 Comment

Building a Camera Obscura

Posted on 14 December 2011 by

“Where is that”? As another class gasps at the inverted view of the outside world. It takes getting a teacher to run around outside, projected upside down on the screen in front of them to convince them it is a live image. No web cam or projector, just a 2500-year-old optical projection. Continue reading →

Posted in Optics, Physics, Projects, Science Education | 1 Comment