Re: Long, Continuous, Steady Streamer Phenomena

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

Original poster: "Gregory Hunter by way of Terry Fritz <teslalist-at-qwest-dot-net>" <ghunter31014-at-yahoo-dot-com>

I made them on my 4" x 24" coil several times. I used
a very smooth 12" sphere for the top terminal. I drove
the thing at 9kvac/120ma from a pair of NSTs. Most of
the time it produced the usual storm of writhing
streamers. However, periodically the streamers would
sort of merge as they glided along the surface,
forming a single, swordlike streamer pointing upwards.
The thing was longer, thicker, and quieter than a
normal streamer. It would sort of wave around, like a
cobra under the influence of a snake charmer. After a
few seconds, it would collapse, and the typical,
crackling "streamer storm" would resume. If I ran the
coil for 1 minute, I could expect to see this display
2 or 3 times. Since this was in calm, indoor air, and
since the cobra-like streamer always pointed straight
up, I think it was just air convection, with the sword
spark following the rising column of hot air until
some minor eddy disturbed it. I agree with you--It was
VERY impressive looking. I wish I'd photographed it.

Regards,

--- Tesla list <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com> wrote:
 > Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz
 > <teslalist-at-qwest-dot-net>"
 > <dhmccauley-at-spacecatlighting-dot-com>
 >
 > Was wondering if anyone else had the following
 > streamers at least with their
 > mini coils.  I find that every once in awhile if a
 > streamer breaks out on an
 > extremely smooth portion of the toroid, that
 > the streamer will appear to remain in one (at least
 > visibly)
 > steady-continuous streamer which seems to slightly
 > "glide" across the toroid
 > surface.  These streamers typically live for up to
 > 2-10 seconds at a time
 > and are EXTREMELY impressive looking compared to
 > typical streamers.
 >
 > Anyone know what the theory of action of these
 > long-living streamers are????
 > I know Gary Laus minicoil frequently produces them
 > as well as my mini coil
 > now.  However, I don't think I've ever seen
 > them occur on larger tesla coils.
 >
 > The Captain
 >
 >


=====
Gregory R. Hunter

http://hot-streamer-dot-com/greg

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