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Hi Dan,

It sounds like you're looking for UV detectors more than fluorescent
delights.  You might consider the various UV indicators for sunshine
exposure, which come in keychains, wallet cards, as well as small electronic
meters.  (For example:
http://www.testcountry.com/images/products/1845_big.jpg.)

But since the topic of fluorescent objects came up, we currently have a
small black light room which includes a display of fluorescent art posters
as well as everyday fluorescent objects.   Most of these have been
mentioned, but I would add "Mr Clean", which glows bright chartreuse, and
"Irish Spring" soap, which is especially bright [but smelly].  Petroleum
Jelly fluoresces a subtle blue.  And many other items come in day-glo
colors, especially sports and safety equipment, and plastic toys.  I found
many items by shopping with a portable UV flashlight.

I'm especially fond of the fluorescent red webbing sold by the foot at
hardware stores, which glows very brightly under UV, and is also one of the
few objects to remain bright red under a monochromatic sodium light.

But what visitors seem to enjoy most is looking at their own faces, their
clothes and their stuff.  So a mirror is very good.  And drivers licenses,
passports, credit cards, and similar items from their wallets or handbags
commonly have fluorescent surprises which are normally invisible.  (US
currency, unfortunately, is very bland compared to others.)

And slightly off-topic, but ISEN readers may be interested:  The exhibition
"High Arctic", at London's Maritime Museum, gives visitors UV flashlights
which they can use to reveal otherwise invisible graphics, instead of
traditional text panels.
http://www.nmm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/high-arctic/

-Richard


On Thu, Aug 25, 2011 at 6:48 PM, Paul Orselli <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> institutions.
>
> *****************************************************************************
>
> Hi Dan,
>
> If I'm understanding your question correctly, you can provide a little (UV)
> light entertainment with:
>
> • US Currency
>
> • certain postage stamps
>
> • Quinine/tonic water
>
> • certain powdered laundry detergents
>
> • "Highlighter" type marker markings (on paper)
>
> All of the above have components that react visibly to UV light.
>
> Have fun enlightening your visitors!
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> Paul Orselli, President and Chief Instigator
>
> Paul Orselli Workshop (POW!)
> World Headquarters
> 1684 Victoria Street
> Baldwin, NY  11510
>
> (516) 223-1043
>
> POW! website
> <http://www.orselli.net>
>
> Exhibit tips + tricks at the ExhibiTricks blog:
> <http://blog.orselli.net/>
>
>
> On Thu, Aug 25, 2011 at 8:45 PM, Dan Zevin <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Many of us have heard of and/or use UV Beads<
> > http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/product/color-changing-uv-beads> or
> UV
> > Sensitive Paper<
> > http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/product/sun-sensitive-paper> and the
> > like. What I'm looking for is some sort of common household item (or
> > combination of items) that can do the same - change or otherwise "detect"
> > UV.
> >
> > ****
> > Dan Zevin
> > Public Education Specialist
> > Space Sciences Laboratory
> > 7 Gauss Way, MC 7450
> > University of California, Berkeley
> >
> >
>
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