Aquarium Kaleidoscope A discussion of some kaleidoscope topics. And from the museum archives, pictures of earlier kaleidoscopes by A.W. Scopes.

OBJECT CASES. The object case (also called object cell or chamber) is at the end of the scope opposite the eyehole and holds the various objects that will make up the image of the scope. It is usually rotated to create virtually endless variations of the image. Unless otherwise specified, all of my object cases are liquid-filled. The viscosity of the liquid is such that the objects will move slowly and quietly into place when the object case is turned.

LIGHTING the objects. Good light shining into the object case is important for optimum viewing. This is especially important with a "side-lit" object case; that is, there is an opaque back to the case, and the objects are lit with light entering from the side. Most of my scope designs have a side-lit object case with a dramatic black background. Viewing outdoors or by a sunny window can provide good light. Hold your scope under a lamp, and watch the details and colors come alive.

LAMPWORKED GLASS. Almost any object is suitable for viewing through a kaleidoscope! Lampworked glass is very desirable to contribute to beautiful images. Lampworked glass is glass that is heated from the flame of a torch, or "lamp", used for glass working, until it softens and can be shaped. Lampworked glass - twisties The photo here displays an assortment of "twisties" that I like to make. Two or more glass rods are heated and twisted together to form the patterns. I use pieces from canes like these for much of the lampworked glass that is found in all of my object cases.

MIRROR SYSTEMS. The most common mirror system configurations have three sides. That is, three long rectangular pieces joined together at specific angles to form a triangular tube with the mirrors facing in towards each other. This tube is secured inside the body of the scope and extends from the eyehole to the object case at the other end. We look through the eyehole and this mirror tube to see the objects which are reflected in various ways, depending on the mirror setup, to create the seemingly magical views inside the kaleidoscope. The Endless Hourglass Kaleidoscope, inside & outside views

All three sides can be mirrors or there can be two mirrors and a black or non-reflective side. With three mirrors, reflected images are propagated in all directions filling the entire field of view, like wallpaper as far as you can see in any direction. With two mirrors, reflected images continue around to form a centered circular image (surrounded by black from the third side).

This round-like image is the mandala generated by a kaleidoscope. You may hear something like an image is a six-point mandala or star. The number of points of the image depends on the angle formed by the two mirrors at its opening. Now...it takes 2 adjacent reflections to form a "point", so there are actually 12 separate image sections forming a whole six-point image. Each of the 12 sections -- the original view through to the objects and 11 reflections of it around the circle -- are the shape of the opening of the mirrors. SL610 Kaleidoscope Since there are 360° in a circle, the mirrors for a six-point star are assembled at an angle of 30° (360° / 12 images = 30° each). If it were slightly more or less than 30°, there would be slightly more or less than 12 images and there wouldn't be exactly six points. A 6.1 or 5.9 point image would disrupt the symmetry of the mandala, so it is important that the angle be right on.

Or think of a pie divided into, let's say, 18 equal slices (or images). (If you didn't like geometry, skip this paragraph.) There is a 20° angle (360/18) at the pie center for each slice. So a nine point mandala image (2 "slices" per "point") would have mirrors assembled at 20°. (Or think of it as 180 / # of points; i.e. 180 / 9 = 20) How about a 5-point image? ...36° (360/10 or 180/5). An 8-point image is 22.5°. Um...how many points from a 12° angle?...15 points. Very good. How about an 11 pointer? WHOA, this is becoming way too much fun (I liked geometry). If you didn't bother to follow this, I assure you it will have no effect on your enjoyment of the scopes.

Misterioso Kaleidoscope Other mirror systems may have 4 mirrors, or the mirrors can be "tapered" (shaped more like a trapezoid than a rectangle), or curved at the end, or... All of the variations affect the shape and character of the image. Kaleidoscope artists are frequently experimenting with mirrors to create new and exciting views.

MIRRORS. Front or first-surface mirrors have their reflective coating on the front surface of the glass. Ordinary mirrors have the coating on the back and is protected by the glass which we look through to see our reflection. A regular mirror, with its two reflections -- one from the surface and one from the image in the back refracted as the light rays pass the glass-air interface -- degrades the clarity of a kaleidoscope image. Front-surface mirrors, with one reflection of light off its surface, generate a sharper image and are essential for all high quality kaleidoscopes. They are used in all of the scopes you will find here.

DIRECTION of MOVEMENT of objects. Besides the wonderful colors and shapes that form a kaleidoscope image, I am also into the movement of the objects as they create the new image.

The Lighthouse line of Kaleidoscopes Consider a two mirror system. The edges where the mirrors meet form a point. The teardrop-like shape of the eyehole of many of the scopes here, is aligned with this point and the "V" shaped opening formed by the mirrors. That is, the narrower side of the eyehole points in the same direction as the mirrors inside. If you hold your scope so that the mirrors and eyehole point down, you will notice that the objects in the image converge toward the center. Now rotate the scope so that the mirrors point up; the objects flower out from the middle toward the outside of the image. If you hold the scope with the eyehole near horizontal, the objects tend to move around the image as you turn the chamber. Changing the position you are holding the scope and watching the objects move in or out or around, as well as turning the object case quickly, slowly, or just a little bit at a time, or rotating the whole scope, all contribute to more variety during your kaleidoscope viewing session. Size 5 and Size 4 Kaleidoscopes

EYEHOLE. If you view the image through the narrower end of the teardrop shaped eyehole, you will be looking down closer to the center of the image. If you view through the wider section of the hole, you will see the center at a slight angle, for a subtle shift in the symmetry of the image.

LENS. With most of the kaleidoscopes here, you are looking through a glass optical lens selected with the appropriate focal length for the scope. The lens magnifies the image and allows for a more focused and detailed view of the objects. A magnifying lens may not be appropriate for some mirror configurations or those scopes with a very large viewport.


SOMETIMES we listen to music, in the background, while we are doing something else; and it's very nice. But when you stop doing that something else, and take time to just sit between the speakers and listen, that's when there is the greatest potential to absorb emotion from your favorite tunes for truly satisfying moments. Similarly, sometimes you may pick up your kaleidoscope for a short while; take a deep breath and smile; and it's very nice. And then when you take time out to sit comfortably and view inside your scope for awhile with the proper lighting, it can be relaxing, exhilarating, and also truly satisfying.

I hope you found this "kaleido-talk" page worth your while. I attempted to cover topics and questions I have been frequently asked. I am here if you wish to discuss anything further.



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