Magnifying glass fire lighting with ice??

[Paul_B]

I'm curious, is it myth or truth that you can make a lens out of ice and use it to light a fire. Has anyone read about or seen a video of someone doing this?

 

[Billy-o]

I haven't seen that, no, but I do remember an episode of a BBC ROugh Science TV series when they were depositing scientists in wilderness spots and setting them tasks. One of them, Kathy Sykes, managed to melt sand enough to make a lens. No firemaking with it, but could see cells with it. The expression on her face when she realized what she'd done was quite something. The things we can do.

 

[Corso]

seems so

 

[woodspirits]

I did something similar a few years back, i didn't use ice though I had about a half cup of water in a clear plastic bag, sunny day I focused a hot spot like a magnifying glass onto tinder, I got smoke but my work break was over. I think had I carried on it would have ignited, the video clip above shows how it works.