Re: Ball lightning ?

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

Original poster: "davep by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <davep-at-quik-dot-com>

Tesla list wrote:
 
> Original poster: "Lau, Gary by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>"
<Gary.Lau-at-compaq-dot-com>
 
> Hi Terry:

> Not that your 2.5KW power supply wouldn't be a really cool thing to play
> with, but do we know that high frequencies or high voltages with respect to
> ground are actually necessary for the creation of ball lightning, if the
> underlying principal is burning of atmospheric gasses?

	It has been reported that something like BL was produced
	with banks of batteries, ex Submarine:

		say 600VDC +/- and Yee_Chriminy amps.

	Also, stray reports concerning incidents in power installations,
	NOT strictly related to 'high' voltages.

	(cf the book mentioned earlier: ball lighting & bead lightning.)

> What I'm getting at is, if one just wants to superheat some atmospheric
> plasma, it would seem that a pig-powered Jacobs ladder could do that.

	Seems plausible.
	On the other hand if a 'classic Tesla' configuration works,
	having something that WORKS is the firs step to figuring out
	what 'works' is.  (at least when HOW is more or less unknown,
	as here...)

	Terry's comments (re vortex) are, probably well taken.
	vortexes in 'air' are surprisingly stable, if uncommon.
	the most visible are smoke rings...  Long term stability of
	these can be surprising.  What mechanism(s) keeps them going
	and glowing (IF they are BL components) is up for grabs.

	Hmmmmm.  Fire a high energy spark in a mechanical
	configuration optimized for vortex generation?  Large, hollow
	tube?

	(High energy == HV/LA (tesla) OR LV/HA (Jacobs Ladder)
	Yeah: unusual use of 'LV.... 8)>>))

	best
	dwp