exploratorium

Exhibits

PHENOMENA

Natural Frequency

Aeolian Harp
Aeolian Harp

An eerie orchestral chord floats on the breeze; it’s the shimmering sound of a 27-foot tall harp being strummed by the wind.

Where:   Gallery 5: Outdoor Exhibits
Catch the Sound Waves
Catch the Sound Waves

These simple glass tubes separate the sounds of the Exploratorium into distinct tones.

Where:   Bechtel Gallery 3: Seeing & Listening
Chladni Singing
Chladni Singing

Sand scattered on a large metal square vibrates and jumps in response to the sound of your voice. When you hit just the right note(s), the sand spontaneously migrates into elegant geometrical patterns.

Where:   Bechtel Gallery 3: Seeing & Listening
Coupled Pendulums
Coupled Pendulums

Start one of these two pendulums swinging and soon you’ll see the other pendulum start swinging, too. Keep watching and you’ll see the two pendulums take turns, alternately swinging energetically and coming to a near standstill.

Where:   Crossroads: Getting Started
Energy from Death
Energy from Death

A decaying carcass makes a perfect meal for an assortment of scavengers, including the dermestid beetles you can see in this exhibit. As they feast on these carcasses, the dermestid beetles and their larvae get their energy and nutrients from the dried flesh, skin, and other tissues.

Where:   Gallery 4: Living Systems
Humming Plates
Humming Plates

Sand reveals vibrations that are normally invisible.

Where:   Bechtel Gallery 3: Seeing & Listening
Pinscreen
Pinscreen

Create ghostly images with the touch of a hand.

Where:   Ray and Dagmar Dolby Atrium
Wave Organ
Wave Organ

Listen to the sound of the sea.

Where:   San Francisco Marina jetty