Re: Sparks - Bright in the middle, how to verify it - suggestion

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <Mddeming-at-aol-dot-com>

In a message dated 1/22/01 7:16:21 PM Eastern Standard Time, tesla-at-pupman-dot-com 
writes: 


>
> >snip- - - 
> >> Original poster: "Charles Hobson by way of Terry Fritz 
> ><twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <charles.a.hobson-at-btinternet-dot-com> 
> >> 
> >> Hello all, 
> >> 
> >> Placing a grounded rod about 300mm from the terminal of my coil I get 
> nice 
> >> sparks similar in appearance to lightning. At the center of these sparks 
> >> there is a 25mm segment which is much brighter than the rest. I would be 
> >> most grateful for an explanation for this phenomena. 
> >> 
> >> Chuck



Hi Chuck & All 
I have noticed the same thing. The contrast seems greatest to me when running 
low power (i.e. 12" pale lavender streamers) and the "center section" arc is 
blue-white. As soon as I can talk my photographer (wife-type) into springing 
for some ASA 1000 film, we'll try to capture these elusive beasts. I have no 
idea what the cause is, but I don't believe it's an optical illusion. 

Cheers, 
Matt D.