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Waves, Sound, Light

Boy looking through telescope at night

Optical Telescopes

Learn about the history of telescopes and the function of refracting and reflecting optical telescopes.

The Jodrell Bank Lovell Telescope located in Cheshire, England

Telescopes and Astronomy

Visible light is only part of what astronomers study. They use different types of telescopes to study the entire electromagnetic spectrum.

Skyglow from a city and highway

Light Pollution

Light can be a type of pollution. Learn about the damage it causes to people and living things as well as how you can prevent it.

Large diamond refracting light

Reflection and Refraction

Learn about reflection and refraction and meet Emily Altiere, a PhD student in physics who studies lasers.

Abstract light pattern

Light and Its Properties

Learn about light and its properties.

Ultrasound treatment on knee

Ultrasonography

Learn about the history, function, uses, benefits and risks of Ultrasonography as a medical imaging technology.

hermographic image a woman’s head and neck

Thermal Imaging

Learn about uses of thermal imaging as a medical imaging technology.

dental x-ray

Radiography & X-ray Imaging

Learn about radiography and x-rays as a form of medical imaging technology.

Adult and children looking through telescope

The Optics of Telescopes

Learn about telescopes, how they work & why they're important to astronomers.

Why is everything so small down there?

Why is everything so small down there?

Explore how we see things far and near and from different angles. It's all about perspective!

Two faces each with one eye visible

Why do we need two eyes to see?

Ever wondered why we have two eyes (and not one, three or more)? Find how your two eyes work together in this hands-on activity.

Why can we see shadows at night?

Why can we see shadows at night?

Take a walk after dark to find shadows.

​​​​​​​The Electronic Sackbut Synthesizer

Who Created the Electronic Synthesizer?

A Canadian researcher built the first voltage-controlled synthesizer in the 1940s.

A pot of gold at the end of a rainbow

What's in a Rainbow?

Rainbows are beautiful examples of optics in nature. We see them thanks to the reflection and refraction of visible light and water.

Circle of colours

What is white light?

Find out what happens if you spin the colours of the rainbow in this hands-on activity.