This three inch clear acrylic sphere was rotated while irradiating it from a 5 Million Volt electron accelerator. Billions of electrons were injected into the sphere, forming an internal spherical region of excess electrical charge deep inside. A huge number of excess electrons accumulated and were temporarily trapped inside the sphere, similar to the way clouds build up huge electrical charges during a thunderstorm. The excess charges were suddenly released, creating thousands of electrical discharges (sparks) within the sphere. These created permanent microscopic tubes and fractures inside the acrylic along the paths taken by the discharges. When illuminated, these behave as microscopic mirrors. The branched patterns have fractal characteristics, and the discharges are technically known as Lichtenberg Figures. See much more about these incredible objects of scientific art at www.capturedlightning.com
