Obama to Appear on 'MythBusters'

Valerie Warrington
10/18/2010

Did Greek scientist Archimedes really set fire to an invading Roman fleet by using the sun's reflection in mirrors? Obama will appear on 'Mythbusters' to find out!

U.S. President Barack Obama answers questions as he appears at a youth Town Hall on Viacom's BET, CMT and MTV networks in Washington October 14, 2010. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS)

President Barack Obama will appear in an episode of the Discovery Channel's Mythbusters on December 8 to discover the truth of a highly-debated legend.

On Monday, Obama will discuss his appearance on MythBusters at the White House Science Fair.

The legend regards what some refer to as Archimedes' Death Ray. Modern scientists have debated on the truth behind the story that Greek scientist Archimedes set fire to an invading Roman fleet by using mirrors to reflect the rays of the sun. This tale dates back to 214 B.C., according to the New York Times.

Though Mythbusters has debunked this myth before. Back in 2006, with the help of students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mythbusters found that it would take too long for reflected light to cause a fire to a distant ship.

In an effort from the White House to increase competitiveness in math and science, Obama wants to test this myth once more.

Will they be able to prove it?