Message-Id: <3.0.32.19970905073204.006fbed0@icefog.polarnet.com>
Date: Fri, 05 Sep 1997 07:33:53 -0800
To: pinhole@exploratorium.edu
From: "J. Lahr" <jlahr@polarnet.com>
Subject: Exploratorium Eye Exhibit
The "eye" exhibit over the entrance of the Exploratorium illustrates
a very interesting effect, but I think most visitors miss the point of it.
A set of vertical lights flash on and off in such a way that if you
sweep your eyes back and forth the word "eye" can be seen due to
persistence of vision.
Perhaps more would experience the effect if two "guide" lights, one
to the right and the other to the left of the vertical "eye" lights were
placed on the wall. The right and left guide lights would be turned
on and off alternately and timed such that if you keep
shifting your gaze to look at the lit guide light you will see the "eye"
pattern "painted" on your retina. The perceived width of the "eye" pattern
would depend on the distance between the "guide" lights.
Any other thoughts on this exhibit?
John
-- * John C. and Jan H. Lahr * * jlahr@polarnet.com * * P.O. Box 83245, Fairbanks, AK 99708 * * (907) 474-7997 * * http://www2.polarnet.com/~jlahr * * http://giseis.alaska.edu/Input/lahr *