exploratorium

Exhibits

PHENOMENA

Wave Guide

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

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

Where:   Bechtel Gallery 3: Seeing & Listening
Echo Tube

Make a sound into the echo tube and listen for it to reflect back from the far end. You’ll hear a half-second delay, and strange distortions created by the journey.

Where:   Gallery 5: Outdoor Exhibits
Echo Tubes

Experiment with echoes with these three long tubes. Why does a clap come back as a ping? What does it take to make a good echo? 

Where:   This exhibit is not currently on view.
Lariat Chain

This artwork by Norman Tuck demonstrates that a very simple system—a metal chain hanging from a motor-driven bicycle wheel—can generate complex behaviors.

Where:   Gallery 2: Tinkering
The Wave Organ

Listen to the sound of the sea.

Where:   San Francisco Marina jetty