Orbitograph

18in x 15.5in x 11in
100mw Green Laser, Motors, Speed Controllers, Acrylic

The Orbitograph is an interactive projector that creates complex geometric images. Unlike Spirographs, Meccanographs, and Harmonographs that follow a single point, an Orbitograph creates and follows thousands orbiting laser points of light.  When the  beam passes through a layer it creates 4 equidistant beams in a cross-hair pattern that that all follow the same orbit around the center beam. Adding a second layer adds another 4 beams to the center point orbit, but also makes a 2nd generation of 4 beam around each one of the new orbiting points. And finally the last layer adds a 4 new around the 2nd generation creating a 3rd generation. The result is 1797 points: 
         1 + 4 + (8 x 8) + (12 + 12 + 12) = 1797
As all point share equal length radii but different moving center points complex intersecting paths are created. These paths can be altered by setting different speeds and directions. Further experiments are being conducted to automate the layer rotations to sound and music. 

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