Diagram of the interferometer. Black and white line art showing a rectangular stone slab resting on a support that floats in a pool of mercury. Mirrors are arranged at the corners to reflect successive beams. Ref: Michelson, "Studies in Optics," University of Chicago Press, 1927

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1. Robert McNees (mcnees@mastodon.social)'s status on Monday, 19-Dec-2022 16:23:49 UTC Robert McNees

   in reply to

   The first experiment wasn't sensitive enough to show anything conclusive.

   In 1885 Michelson began his collaboration with Morley, building a larger and more sensitive version of the interferometer. They performed their experiment over a few months in 1887.

   Here is Michelson's diagram of the apparatus (on a stone block floated on a pool of mercury) and beam paths. Multiple reflections increased the effective length of the arms of the interferometer, enhancing the effect they were looking for.