I certainly understand that references are needed and this can be 
done to a degree, but with sparks, this gets tricky. In order for 
the spark to be accurately measured via a photograph, the spark 
"must be" perpendicular to the camera. Even a few degrees into the Z 
axis, and the "object of reference and known dimensions" must be 
reduced in size by the angle. All sparks that have any angle to the 
camera from the perpendicular will always make the sparks shorter 
than they actually are. 13M did not have a single perpendicular arc 
in the photo taken. The only arc close is the one on the right that 
issues from the back and curves around the coil forward. If you 
measure with some known reference object, you still completely miss 
the Z axis length. I don't believe this to be the claim photo as 
I've already stated in the other thread, but represents my point 
regarding Z-axis. Not only with the angle the spark issues, but also 
it's curvature in that direction.
The best way of course is to never rely on a photo as the 
measurement, but rather a measured "target" the coil arcs to within 
a photo. Spark length claims without a photo are not proof, but this 
doesn't mean the claim is false. It simply means you must take the 
claimers words with faith that it is true or not.
My little coil 4.5"D x 21.165"H max spark length is 55" to a target. 
At my front page of my website is a photo of this coil and an arc (top right).
http://www.classictesla.com/
The two toroids edge to edge nearest distance is 55" measured with a 
tape measure. If you were to use a little stick man or other 2D 
object, what would you estimate the distance to be? For reference, 
the toroid on the little coil is 6.25" x 21".
Comments welcome,
Bart
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