The hologram, a clear glass plate, is illuminated from a distance of less than a meter by a laser beam that has been diverged by scattering through a piece of wax paper. The laser beam strikes the hologram perpendicular to the plate. The proper view is seen by observing transmitted light at an angle on one side of the laser axis. However, if you view reflected light or look at the laser at a different angle (opposite the axis of the laser beam) the hologram appears backwards or upside down! Go figure that one out.

The hologram is mounted at an angle and illuminated from above by a bright point source. It includes the configuration of the planets on April 26, 1832 and December 31, 1999. Why did they choose these dates?

Laplace, who invented the orrery, had an interesting exchange with Napolean when he presented one of his devices to the emporer. Napolean examined his orrery and stated, "How can this be! You made the system of the world, you explain the laws of all creation, but in all your book you speak not once of the existence of God!" Laplace responded, "[No, Sire,] I had no need of that hypothesis." See Wikiquote for further information and other translations.

The photographs above show the set of three white light holograms on a single stand with close-ups of the two scenes of the orrery hologram as described above.

The hologram is mounted at an angle and illuminated from above by a bright point source. It includes three successive views of a really ugly man turning into a really scary werewolf. Don't let your young children see this one.

The photographs above show the display setup with three white light holograms and close-ups of two scenes from the werewolf hologram.