periscope

A periscope is an instrument for observation over, around or through an object, obstacle or

condition that prevents direct line-of-sight observation from an observer's current position.

In its simplest form, it consists of an outer case with mirrors at each end set parallel to each
other at a 45° angle. This form of periscope, with the addition of two simple lenses, served
for observation purposes in the trenches during World War I. Military personnel also use
periscopes in some gun turrets and in armoured vehicles

More complex periscopes, using prisms and/or advanced fiber optics instead of mirrors, and
providing magnification, operate on submarines and in various fields of science. The overall
design of the classical submarine periscope is very simple: two telescopes pointed into each
other. If the two telescopes have different individual magnification, the difference between
them causes an overall magnification or reduction.