From: yanek@mthvax.cs.miami.edu (Yanek Martinson)
Subject: images out of thin air
Date: 14 Nov 91 01:51:12 GMT
Message-ID: <ki3lkgINNdol@mthvax.cs.miami.edu>
Organization: University of Miami Department of Mathematics & Computer Science



I have seen a fairly simple device of two concave (hyperbolic?) mirrors,
one with a hole in it, that project an image of a small object inside to
above the mirrors. The image appears entirely real, it can be viewed
from any side, and is as clear and three-dimensional that you would not
believe the object is not there without trying to touch it.

Now questions: 

How does it work? It seems incredible to me. There IS nothing at the
spot in space where the object appears to be. 

What is the name of this system, effect, person who invented it? 

Exactly what shape must the mirrors be?

It appears to work only for small objects; to achieve the same effect
for a larger object, would the size of mirrors have to be drastically
increased?

It projects the image only a small distance away from the mirror. Is it
possible to project it to greater distances?

yanek@mthvax.cs.miami.edu
safe0%yanek@mthvax.cs.miami.edu