Aquascope facts for kids
An aquascope (also known as a bathyscope) is a special device that lets you look into the water. It's like a window to the underwater world! You can use it from a boat or even from the shore. It helps you see clearly by getting rid of the glare from the water's surface. You can see as far as the water is clear and there's enough light.
People use aquascopes for many things. They are great for observing reefs, checking boat moorings (where boats are tied up), and doing other survey work. Teachers and students also use them as an educational tool to watch plants, creatures, and their homes in rivers, lakes, and the sea without getting wet!
A more advanced version, called an underwater telescope, was invented by Sarah Mather in 1845. Her invention helped ships explore the deep parts of the ocean. It used a special lamp inside a glass globe that was lowered into the water. This device allowed sailors to check the bottom of their ship or other details right from the deck. In 1864, Mather improved her invention to help detect underwater warships during the American Civil War.
How an Aquascope Works
An aquascope is usually a tube made of metal or wood. It's long enough for someone to look through it while standing on a boat or shore. One end of the tube is shaped so you can rest your head on it and look inside with both eyes.
The other end of the tube has a clear glass plate fixed to it, making it watertight. This glass end goes under the water's surface. The glass helps you see clearly by removing the ripples and glare that usually make it hard to see into the water from above.
A common size for an aquascope might be about 3 feet long. The top part, where you put your face, is shaped like an oval. This lets both your eyes see easily into the tube. There's even a small dip for your nose so your breath doesn't fog up the inside!
At the bottom, the round glass plate might be about 8 inches wide. Around this glass, there's often a heavy rim, sometimes made of lead. This weight helps the tube sink a little into the water. Small holes are usually placed where the glass meets the rim. These holes let air escape and allow water to touch the glass, which helps with clear viewing. Most aquascopes also have handles on the sides, making them easy to hold and use.
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Portable aquascope
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Aquascope in use
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Underwater viewer, Museum of Ethnology, Osaka - 1976
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