periscope project

From: Don (dsarvas_at_yahoo.com)
Date: 01/31/05 

Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2005 18:05:28 GMT

I want to create a simple, inexpensive periscope with a height of
about 1-1/2 feet with as wide a range of viewing as possible as a
classroom project. I wanted to do this without the need for lenses to
keep it as simple and inexpensive as possible. I'm already facing the
need to encase the mirrors in acrylic or some other unbreakable
sheeting for safety.

To get the view range I'm after using only mirrors requires a fairly
large mirror, minimum of 6" diameter at the upper end. I was hoping
to reduce that to just a few inches at the most.

How can lenses be used to reduce the size of the mirrors at that
distance from each other? Using lenses could actually add to the fun
and learning process, but if the lenses required would be too
expensive, too difficult to mount, or require manual focusing if used
by different individuals, I'll just stick with large mirrors, although
depending on the degree of difficulty, it may still be worth the
effort as a learning project.

Some distortion will not be a problem so precision construction will
not be necessary.

Thanks,

Don