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TonyS
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St. Elmo's Fire

02/16/2011 5:14 PM

This is totally off the engineering threads but one day I want see St. Elmo's fire

I've played about with 1/2 MV Van der graph generators, walked away from a 15KV shock, sat on the roof of a 150" high building during a lightning storm.

I'm mad at times.

The northern lights are impressive!

But this is one thing I'd love to see.

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#1

Re: St. Elmo's fire

02/16/2011 5:29 PM
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TonyS
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#3
In reply to #1

Re: St. Elmo's fire

02/16/2011 5:48 PM

Cool!

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#6
In reply to #1

Re: St. Elmo's fire

02/16/2011 7:41 PM

LOL! That's sick! GA.

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#2

Re: St. Elmo's fire

02/16/2011 5:37 PM

Then get yourself impressed onto HMS Pinafore! Nothing like a tour in the Queen's Nyvee!

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TonyS
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#4
In reply to #2

Re: St. Elmo's fire

02/16/2011 5:55 PM
When I was a lad I served a term
As office boy to an Attorney's firm.
I cleaned the windows and I swept the floor,
And I polished up the handle of the big front door.

He polished up the handle of the big front door.
I polished up that handle so carefullee
That now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!
He polished up that handle so carefullee,
That now he is the ruler of the Queen's Navee.

2. As office boy I made such a mark
That they gave me the post of a junior clerk.
I served the writs with a smile so bland,
And I copied all the letters in a big round hand--
He copied all the letters in a big round hand.
I copied all the letters in a hand so free,
That now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!
He copied all the letters in a hand so free,
That now he is the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!

3. In serving writs I made such a name
That an articled clerk I soon became;
I wore clean collars and a brand-new suit
For the pass examination at the Institute,
For the pass examination at the Institute.
And that pass examination did so well for me,
That now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!
That pass examination did so well for he,
That now he is the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!

4. Of legal knowledge I acquired such a grip
That they took me into the partnership.
And that junior partnership, I ween,
Was the only ship that I ever had seen.

Was the only ship that he ever had seen.
But that kind of ship so suited me,
That now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!
But that kind of ship so suited he,
That now he is the ruler of the Queen's Navee!

5. I grew so rich that I was sent
By a pocket borough into Parliament.
I always voted at my party's call,
And I never thought of thinking for myself at all.
He never thought of thinking for himself at all.
I thought so little, they rewarded me
By making me the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!
He thought so little, they rewarded he
By making him the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!

6. Now landsmen all, whoever you may be,
If you want to rise to the top of the tree,
If your soul isn't fettered to an office stool,
Be careful to be guided by this golden rule
Be careful to be guided by this golden rule.
Stick close to your desks and never go to sea,
And you all may be rulers of the Queen's Navee!
Stick close to your desks and never go to sea,
And you all may be rulers of the Queen's Navee!

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Tornado
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#5

Re: St. Elmo's Fire

02/16/2011 6:33 PM

Although I have spent some time at sea as a crab fisherman and ship's engineer, I have never seen St. Elmo's fire. Lots of other atmospheric phenomena, though.

You hit the nail on the head--I was indeed alluding to G&S.

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TonyS
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#7
In reply to #5

Re: St. Elmo's Fire

02/17/2011 1:08 AM

I do like G&S. But one I've never seen live is HMS Pinafore!

For people who don't know G&S I would guess they think we're mad!

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Unredundant
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#8

Re: St. Elmo's Fire

02/17/2011 9:11 AM

As a kid, a friend and I decided to climb an abandon radio antenna tower on an overcast day. My friend was above me near the top, when he said "hey, look at this!" I looked up and The hair on his head was standing straight out and the tip of the mast was glowing blue. I shouted for him to "get down now!" As we walked away from the base, there was a tremendous clap and bright flash.

We did not skip Sunday school for a while after that.

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fixitorelse
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#9

Re: St. Elmo's Fire

02/17/2011 1:21 PM

Next time there is some convection in the area you live. Wonder out to the local airport and see if one of the pilots (rated to do so) will take you for a short cruise. St Elmo's fire can often be seen coming off the tips of the props and trailing edges of the wings. Thats why you will see the little strips of rope like materials protruding off wings and control surfaces of aircraft to dissipate static electricity. By the way St Elmo's fire really won't hurt you. I have had this on my sail boat as well along the top of the mast.
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