Aurora globe by unknown maker
- Made:
- 1800-1825
Aurora globe by unknown maker, 1800-1825.
Aurora globes were used to demonstrate the changing behaviour of electricity in different scenarios. When the globe was attached to an electrostatic generator, the spark from the generator would be very small in the regular environment, but when a partial vacuum was created by removing the air from the globe the spark would form light streams similar to an aurora.
The air within the globe can be evacuated by means of the tap in the base. The lower brass ball conductor is fixed to the base while the upper one is adjustable. There is an insulated glass handle at the top. One of the conductors was charged and the spark made to jump between the two. Globes and flasks were popular variations on aurora tubes.
Details
- Category:
- King George III
- Object Number:
- 1927-1274
- Measurements:
-
overall: H. 450 mm x Diameter 170 mm,
globe: Diameter 160 mm,
- type:
- aurora globes
- copyright:
- Unlinked Name
- credit:
- King's College London