A camera obscura is a darkened room with a small hole or lens at one side through which an image is projected onto a wall or table opposite the hole. Camera obscura can also refer to analogous constructions such as a box or tent in which an exterior image is projected inside.

Camera obscura, also known as a "dark chamber", is a device that projects an image of the outside world onto a surface inside a box or room through a small hole or aperture. The concept of camera obscura has been around for centuries, with early descriptions of the phenomenon dating back to ancient China and Greece. The device was used as a drawing aid by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Johannes Vermeer, and it is considered to be the precursor to the modern camera.

The camera obscura works by allowing light to enter a darkened space through a small hole or aperture. The light rays travel in straight lines and form an inverted image of the outside world on a surface located on the opposite side of the hole. The size and clarity of the image depend on the size of the aperture, the distance between the aperture and the surface, and the amount of light available.

The simplest form of camera obscura is a small box with a single aperture on one side and a screen on the opposite side. When light enters the box through the aperture, it forms an inverted image on the screen. This basic concept has been used for centuries, with improvements made over time to increase the size and clarity of the projected image.

One of the most famous camera obscuras in the world is located in Edinburgh, Scotland. The Edinburgh Camera Obscura was built in 1853 and is housed in a tower on the Royal Mile. The tower has a series of mirrors that reflect the image onto a large concave surface, allowing visitors to see a panoramic view of the city.

In addition to being used as a drawing aid and a source of entertainment, the camera obscura has also been used for scientific purposes. In the 17th century, it was used to study the properties of light and optics. Today, it is still used by scientists and researchers to study the behavior of light and to develop new technologies.

Overall, the camera obscura is a fascinating device that has played an important role in the history of art, science, and technology. While modern cameras have largely replaced the camera obscura as a tool for capturing images, the principles behind the device continue to be studied and applied in a variety of fields.