MadSci Network: Physics |
For years, I have noticed that light reflected from a cylindrical object (e.g. a metal ring, a mug, a metallic watch rim) projects a double-arch 'heart' shape in the middle of the circle. While many websites talk about reflections from concave and convex mirrors, I have not yet been able to find one that demonstrates what happens when the mirror is a complete circle. How does this 'heart' pattern emerge? Can it be predicted / calculated? Thanks!
Re: Why does light reflected from a cylindrical object project a 'heart' shape?
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