Ever wanted a celestial storm at your finger tips? Then you might like a kalliroscope.
What’s a kalliroscope?
Kalliroscopes are devices that use rheoscopic fluids to create swirling vortexes. They were invented by artist Paul Matisse (grandson of Henri Matisse) and they mimic some of the universe’s greatest natural wonders like hurricanes and galaxies. Because of that, they can help in the study of fluid dynamics.
What are kalliroscopes made of?
Kalliroscopes use mica, metallic flakes, or even fish scales suspended in fluid, between two thin chambers to allow movement and visualisation.
How do they work?
According to Science World, when you spin a kalliroscope, the suspended particles orient themselves in localized, preferential alignment, larger parts of the fluid moving sheer parallel to other parts of the fluid
. It then reflects different intensities of light and that’s how you see the currents move inside the device.
Other kalliroscopes on the internet
Here are some other kalliroscope projects I found on the internet:
- A silver/grey fluid fidget toy kalliroscope made with resin and a purple one (which reminds me of Ivan Ooze from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie)
- A DIY kalliroscope
- A “vortex dome”