You can see the spring, but you can’t touch it.

In the Exploratorium’s Touch the Spring exhibit, a spring is placed in front of a concave mirror. The actual spring is not visible to the viewer, but the viewer can see the mirror image of the spring formed in space. When you try to touch [...]

A snack version of Mirror Mirage

Create the image of an object in space using a $2 ornament.

4″ silvered plastic Christmas tree ornament

These ornaments are available in the months preceeding Christmas from Michael’s Craft Stores.
Using a band saw cut the top off one half of the ornament [...]

It’s all done with mirrors.

What you perceive as an object is really an image in space, created by two concave mirrors. This illusion would do credit to any magician.

Mirage Maker™

You can focus the invisible light from an electric heater.

Infrared radiation from an electric heater is just another “color” of light. Though you can’t see this light with your eyes, you can focus it with a mirror or a lens and feel the warmth it produces on the back of your hand. From this [...]