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Shadow Box

Shadow Box
Capture a moment in time.

A bright flash of light illuminates a phosphorescent wall—imprinting temporary shadows that capture a moment in time. 

Shadowbox Exhibit
What’s going on?

A strobe light and a giant phosphorescent screen offer endless posing possibilities in this popular and long-lived exhibit favorite. 

The shadow-catching phosphorescent material on this wall is the same as you’ve probably seen in various “glow-in-the-dark” products. Energy from incoming light gets absorbed in this material in the form of excited electrons, that is, electrons raised to a higher energy state. As these electrons gradually de-excite, they release their energy as a visible glow.

Glow in the dark products, a role of tape and a bird toy Glow-in-the-dark products contain phosphorescent compounds—usually either zinc sulfide or strontium aluminate—that absorb the energy of incoming light and then release it over time. Photo © Lưu Ly.

More to explore

Science activity that demonstrates luminescence and flourescence
Glow Up
Different kinds of light can be used to study life.
Science activity investigating spectroscopy
CD Spectroscope
Turn an old CD into a spectroscope to analyze light.
A vibrant, abstract eye-like image with concentric rings of color, including shades of yellow, orange, blue, and purple, against a dark background.
Light Painting
Create striking images and illusions using nothing more than a camera, a light source, and a little practice.

Related exhibits

Visitors interact with the Colored Shadows exhibit.
Colored Shadows
Not all shadows are black.
Water Drop Photography exhibit
Water-Drop Photography
Catch the momentary beauty of a water drop falling into a pool.
Recollections exhibit
Recollections
Create vivid images of yourself as you explore movement.
A person is sitting at an arcade game console, playing a video game in a dimly lit room.
Time to Think
As a task becomes more complex, it requires more mental effort—and that takes time.

 

 

IMLS acknowledgment     This web project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services [MA-30-16-0175-16].