Have you ever seen a toy that makes a rubber duck look like it’s floating in midair? That’s a mirascope—a science gadget that uses parabolic mirrors to create a 3D hologram effect.
The mirascope works by reflecting light between two curved mirrors, forming a holographic illusion at the top. It looks so real that if you shine a laser pointer, it seems to hit the floating object—but the object isn’t actually there!
The image even appears flipped and reversed, which is due to how light reflects off the curved mirrors. It’s an amazing way to explore light physics with a simple, fun science toy.
Next time you see a mirascope, remember—it’s not magic, it’s science!
