The Loci section of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) website always provides fascinating articles and short notes on current research in mathematics and educational resources. This recent addition to their website is a piece by Lingguo Bu of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale about the physical and mathematical properties of the mirascope. For those who may have forgotten, a mirascope is a type of parabolic reflector that effectively gives the illusion that a certain object is in another place. They also have practical applications, such as their use in increasing wireless signal strength. Bu's piece includes sections on how these devices work, their applications, and how these devices are created. The piece is rounded out by a number of dynamic features that address topics such as "How we see things in a plane mirror" and "Initial setup for the mirascope".
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