In 2004, the TV show MythBusters found mirrors implausible (s2e5 Ancient Death Ray). In 2005, a group of students from MIT carried out an experiment with 127 one-foot (30 cm) square mirror tiles, focused on a mock-up wooden ship at a range of around 100 feet (30 m).

Jul 22, 2024 · Archimedes' death ray was a series of mirrors reflecting concentrated sunlight onto Roman ships, causing them to catch fire and sink. Historians have debated the validity of the death ray, with some experiments proving its feasibility while others remain skeptical.

Oct 28, 2021 · Sadly, the heat ray (if it existed) did not save Archimedes. Roman soldiers eventually breached Syracuse's walls and – despite orders from Marcus Claudius Marcellus that Archimedes not be harmed – one of the invaders slew him during the sacking of the city.

May 18, 2014 · Archimedes thought that a death ray could be used to fight off a Roman invasion of Sicily. His plan: arm the Greek army with mirrors, turn them to the Sun, and beam parallel waves of...

The story suggests that Archimedes of Syracuse (c. 287–212 BCE), a brilliant mathematician, physicist, and engineer, developed a powerful weapon using mirrors to harness the Sun’s rays to set Roman ships on fire during the Siege of Syracuse (214–212 BCE).

Mar 9, 2024 · Scientists have speculated about how Archimedes’ death ray purportedly harnessed sunlight to burn ships. Now, a teen may have evidence the device was plausible.

Jun 29, 2010 · Archemedes' burning mirror, a device that was thought to concentrate the sun's rays into a laser beam that repelled an invading Roman fleet in 212 BC, was more likely a steam cannon, new research...

Jan 30, 2024 · The Death Ray is made up of a series of large concave mirrors which are positioned to focus the sun’s rays onto a single focal point. The goal of this project was to evaluate if the principle behind the Archimedes Death ray was plausible using a miniaturized experimental setup.

Jun 6, 2024 · Ancient Greece mathematician Archimedes believed a death ray was plausible, so a middle school student from Canada put the concept to the test. Brenden Sener of Ontario won multiple medals...

May 4, 2014 · On the walls of Syracuse, Archimedes ordered the fitting of mirrors. These reflected the sun’s rays onto the Roman galleys in such a powerful way that the boats caught fire. Much has been made of the true effectiveness of the ‘heat rays’ with many claiming the mirrors simply could not harness enough sunlight to set a trireme alight.