January always brings me back to the basics. Kids are back in school after the holidays and the house looks back to basics without the Christmas decorations. So here’s a lesson in kaleidsocopes that takes it back to the basics. What is a teleidoscope and how is it different than a kaleidoscope?
All kaleidoscopes are optical instruments that consist of mirrors configured to multiply the image of the object. The mirrors create the symmetry and the object creates the color.
Mirror systems are usually configured like a triangular tunnel. Object is where the definition of kaleidoscope versus teleidoscope comes into play.
One type of object on a kaleidoscope is wheels of color.
Here is the N&J 8 inch double wheel kaleidoscope.
N&J 8 Inch Double Wheel Kaleidoscope
8 Inch Double Wheel Kaleidoscope Interior Image
Now the Teleidoscope design uses simply a clear marble at the end of the mirrors. This creates a multiplied image of whatever you see in the world. Here is the same tube and mirror system as a
N&J 7 Inch Teleidoscope