On Fri, 11 Aug 1995 [log in to unmask] wrote:

> I was able to make a plasma sphere using a rubber balloon which was very well
>  purged of air (air partial pressure approximately 1/1000 atmospheric
> pressure) and filled with helium. Powered by a 10kV flyback circuit, the
> arcs inside the balloon could be seen to extend from the central electrode
> all the way out to the rubber (about 5 inches).

How about sealing a rubber glove to a largish balloon, stick a hand
inside, and let plasma play on your fingers?  Got a good camera?  Should
be good for an Omni magazine cover!  And how about an entire room with an
He atmosphere?  Such things must exist somewhere.  If a glassless plasma
globe was taken into one, wouldn't the plasma filaments extend right out
into the air?  And what would happen when small bags of various 1-atm
gases were released in such a room.  Mind boggling!  What a great science
museum exhibit it would make!

.....................uuuu / oo \ uuuu........,.............................
William Beaty  voice:206-781-3320   bbs:206-789-0775    cserv:71241,3623
EE/Programmer/Science exhibit designer        http://www.eskimo.com/~billb/
Seattle, WA 98117  [log in to unmask]           SCIENCE HOBBYIST web page