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Reference.org
Kaleidoscope
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<p>A kaleidoscope is an <a href="/facts/Optical_instrument/jB29DQNk">optical instrument</a> with two or more reflecting surfaces (or <a href="/facts/Mirrors/wMu4u6BB">mirrors</a>) tilted to each other at an <a href="/facts/Angle/gFUTEQYq">angle</a>, so that one or more (parts of) objects on one end of these mirrors are shown as a <a href="/facts/Symmetrical/hpu7DK8p">symmetrical</a> pattern when viewed from the other end, due to repeated <a href="/facts/Reflection_(physics)/BhcjDs79">reflection</a>. These reflectors are usually enclosed in a <a href="/facts/Cylinder/0wQPPr3k">tube</a>, often containing on one end a cell with loose, colored pieces of glass or other transparent (and/or <a href="/facts/Opacity_(optics)/l90q0sAV">opaque</a>) materials to be reflected into the viewed pattern. Rotation of the cell causes motion of the materials, resulting in an ever-changing view being presented. </p>