Astronaut Sophie Adenot demonstrated how to create a convex lens using water while aboard the International Space Station.

The experiment highlights the unique behavior of fluids in microgravity, where surface tension allows water to form near-perfect spheres. This demonstration provides a practical look at how physics changes outside Earth's atmosphere, making complex optical concepts accessible to a global audience.

As part of the European Space Agency's "Sunday morning science" series, Adenot conducted the demonstration on mission day 72 [1] during orbit 1,113 [2]. The activity served as the fifth episode of the series [3], which aims to illustrate various scientific phenomena occurring in space.

In the video, Adenot showed how a floating droplet of water can refract light, acting as a lens that bends light rays to create a magnified or inverted image. Because there is no gravity to flatten the water, the liquid naturally forms a curved shape, a characteristic essential for a convex lens to function.

ESA provided the caption for the segment, saying, "Day 072, orbit 1113 — Sunday morning science with Sophie, episode 5: Water and convex lenses" [1]. The demonstration was shared via the agency's YouTube channel to engage the public in space-based research.

The use of microgravity allows scientists and educators to observe fluid dynamics without the interference of buoyancy or sedimentation. This specific exercise emphasizes the relationship between geometry and light refraction, showing that the same laws of physics apply in orbit as they do on Earth, though the conditions for achieving certain shapes are vastly different.

“Astronaut Sophie Adenot demonstrated how to create a convex lens using water while aboard the International Space Station.”

This demonstration underscores the European Space Agency's strategy to utilize the International Space Station as a classroom for public outreach. By simplifying optical physics through visual experiments, the agency translates complex orbital mechanics into educational content, fostering global interest in STEM and the specific advantages of microgravity research.