Color in a New Light Exhibit at the Fleet Science Center

By Jan Wagner, AutoMatters & More, Del Mar Times

The newest exhibit at the Fleet Science Center explores the underlying science behind light that we can and cannot see (infrared and ultraviolet), color, darkness and optics. Hands-on exhibits explore the visible light spectrum, optics, the effects of mixing colors and the concept that colors are created by reflected light.

Flashing lights simulate fireflies, insects also known as lightning bugs. Part of their abdomen is bioluminescent, meaning it produces and emits light. This helps females identify males of the same species to mate with. Bioluminescence is used for many other purposes, including communication, to attract prey and to deter predators.

At “Touch the Spring,” you will see how light has direction. As you peer into a hole you will see a spring, but when you put your hand into that hole, it passes right through the spring — so where is the image of the spring coming from? Its light travels straight down from its source above. We cannot see that light because our eyes are not in the light’s path, just like in a movie theater where you only see the projected light when it hits the screen.

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