Aluminum Powder Fireballs Look Like Tiny Slo-Mo Supernovas

You probably think of atomic number 13 as a solid metal , the sort of thing that could protect you from explosions . That ’s not always the case — asthe magnificent mad scientists at Periodic Videos are here to show uswithsupernova - style flame ballsmade from pulverized aluminum .

unbelievable picture of a supernova at blossom luminance captured by Hubble

If you ’ve got a lab fume hood , a gas burner , and a compressed air source , this trick is simple : load up a vacuum tube with pulverized aluminum and blow it across the fire . You probably do n’t have that kind of outfit in your garage , but we should point out that these are research lab pelage - wearing professionals and you should not be doing this at home . give the eye - down pyrotechnics to the pros . [ YouTube ]