Mini Plasma Ball

Science Museum
Spark inspiration with this desk-friendly, miniature plasma ball. A tactile tabletop demonstration to create flashes of coloured light within the sphere as you touch the glass. Built with a miniature Tesla coil at its heart, plasma filaments are discharged and strike within the globe, which is filled with inert gases – typically neon, argon and xenon. Named for its inventor, Nikola Tesla (1856-1943), the Tesla coil was invented in 1891; Tesla named his version of a plasma ball an ‘inert gas discharge tube’. Enjoy seeing the science in action with an interactive ornament to create your own tiny, tabletop-light show. Powered by USB, simply connect the cable and click the base’s power switch: perfect for connecting to a laptop or computer and performing an experiment as you work.

8cm tall x 4.5cm sq at widest
Glass sphere with Tesla coil, plastic base
USB power, 110cm cable - USB to micro USB
On/off switch - do not use for more than 2 hours at a time
Includes operating instructions
13.5 x 7 x 7cm box
Not a toy - age 14+
Keep away from pacemakers, credit cards, telephones, audio/video tapes, video monitors or any magnetically sensitive objects