2 Nov
1998
2 Nov
'98
1:27 a.m.
At 05:59 PM 11/1/98 -0600, Doug Yowza wrote:
No, I'm not sure. When I first saw it, I thought mold was growing along
the edges, but closer examination showed that that "growth" was inside the
glass, and the patterns were somewhat crystaline. I'll let you know if
it spontaneously implodes.
Is it possible that you're seeing some element that's been vaporized
and is now being re-deposited as crystalline material? There is so
much going on inside a tube with high voltage, heaters, glowing wires,
etc. that something could be vaporizing and cooling.
Which reminds me of something I'd do as a kid: pop open vacuum tubes
and add water to the grey material tucked inside the rings, which would
then fizz. Maybe it was calcium carbide. I imagine it was there to
suck up water or gas after the tube had been sealed.
- John