Exploratorium Try This! - Caustic Art

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About Exploratorium Try This! - Caustic Art

Try This! is something you can do at home. Then you can share your results by uploading a photo here.

Current Activity: Caustic art

Caustic art uses reflected or refracted light that forms beautiful patterns.

Materials
• mirrored Mylar, about 4 inches high and 20 inches wide
(If you can’t find Mylar, use the shiny inside of a potato chip bag.)
• 2 binder clips
• black paper
• flashlight (a Maglite used as a spotlight works well)

To Do and Notice
1. Form the Mylar into a curved wall, and use the binder clips to help the Mylar keep its new shape. Set the Mylar on the black paper.

2. Shine light on one part of the Mylar and notice lines of light reflected onto the black paper. (You can also see them reflected onto other parts of the Mylar.) These lines are called caustics.

3. Take a close-up photo of your caustic art. (If you like, use Photoshop to add some color.) Tag your photo “caustics” and upload it.

Note: This is only one way to make caustic art. If you know of another technique, feel free to use that. Caustics can be “found,” too. Shine your flashlight in places such as inside a cup of tea, inside a wedding ring, and through a liquid-filled glass.

See all the photos our members have uploaded and tagged "caustics"
www.flickr.com/groups/exploratorium_try_this/pool/tags/ca...