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seeing Magnetic fields

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 5:56 pm
by click-my-heels-midair_Archive
Is there a device, or could there be one, that allows one to see in the visible spectrum an electromagnetic field (like night vision goggles)? I read an article recently that theorized that birds might have that ability naturally.

seeing Magnetic fields

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 6:23 pm
by Dr Venkman_Archive
click-my-heels-midair wrote:Is there a device, or could there be one, that allows one to see in the visible spectrum an electromagnetic field (like night vision goggles)? I read an article recently that theorized that birds might have that ability naturally.


I would not see a band called Magnetic Fields.

seeing Magnetic fields

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 6:42 pm
by Antero_Archive
Image


((they also shoot darts))

seeing Magnetic fields

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:14 pm
by scott_Archive
I believe there is. I seem to recall it monitoring infrared light, though I don't know if it was looking for redshift or something. But IIRC, it's how they can take pictures of black holes.

I think whatever it is, it's probably out of anybody's price range except maybe Bill Gates or NASA or something.

seeing Magnetic fields

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:17 pm
by scott_Archive
if you need something more MacGyver/ghetto, you can put some really fine iron filings on a piece of paper and shake it lightly. the filings will align themselves with magnetic field lines, if the filings are small enough and the field is strong enough.

seeing Magnetic fields

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:32 pm
by ubercat_Archive
Put a magnet up to a television.

Presto!

Problem solved.

(must be careful to not leave permanent marks)

seeing Magnetic fields

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 8:12 pm
by click-my-heels-midair_Archive
but If I had bill gates cash could I build goggles that saw magnetic field lines . I guess magnetism is a force like gravity in that you can only see it in relation to its effects on the matter around it. hypothetically could you use these goggles to look at a microphone and see the magnetic field that it is generating, and the influence on the air around the microphone?

seeing Magnetic fields

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 8:13 pm
by click-my-heels-midair_Archive
I know it sounds like i'm really high right now but I'm not....

seeing Magnetic fields

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 2:15 am
by juice_Archive
yeah

Image

seeing Magnetic fields

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 2:30 am
by juice_Archive
or suspend iron filings in liquid helium.