New for 2021 - “Mark 2 Junior Series” Plasma Globes
Since we began making plasma globes in 2008, our mission has been to produce large, museum-quality globes at an affordable price. Over the years, though, we have had a significant number of requests for even more affordable globes that would be suitable for casual or younger plasma enthusiasts.
Eventually, we decided to test the waters by making a very limited run of 8-inch globes so we could see if there would be a market for them. We wanted to offer a product that was close to the price range of the mass market globes, but built to the same standards of quality as our large professional models. The result of these initial efforts was our “Emerald Fury Junior” globe, which we released in May of 2020. Customer response was overwhelming, and the success of this globe has prompted us to create the new “Mark 2 Junior Series” with an expanded line-up of effects.
“Mark 2 Junior Series” Details
These new 8-inch diameter Junior globes have been redesigned from the ground up, improving upon the original design of our “Emerald Fury Junior” globes and adopting an expanded line-up of our “Museum Series” effects. The “Junior Series” globes use the same high-quality gas mixtures as our large professional globes. Because of that, the color and action of the plasma effects are just as stunning as those of the larger models, and they are likewise just as interactive.
In an industry first for small consumer globes, we have incorporated adjustable effect capabilities to our new “Mark 2 Junior Series” globes. Like our professional “Museum Series” globes, the plasma effects in our the new “Junior Series” globes can be increased or diminished by an adjustable power switch. This makes the globes much more interactive, allowing you to dial in the exact effects you like best.
Our newly designed custom base is a big step up from those found on consumer globes. The 8-inch globe sits upon a gloss-black plastic base, subtly embossed with the Aurora Plasma Design logo as a mark of authenticity and quality. Like our “Museum Series” globes, we wanted these smaller globes to be just as attractive when they are turned off as when they are on and running.
In addition to updating the globes themselves, we have also upgraded the power supplies from analog wire-wound transformers to new digital switching transformers, which are more efficient and can accept both North American and worldwide voltages. The “Junior Series” globes are powered by a 12V 1000ma power supply, which is twice as powerful as the 500ma power supplies used in consumer plasma globes.
A final note: although we recommend only running your globe while you are around to enjoy it, we have been running several samples of our Junior globes 24/7 for a few months now to prove their longevity, and will continue to run them. Your “Junior Series” globe comes with a limited 90 day warranty exchange period for any globe that fails under normal household usage.
“Phoenix Rising Junior” Plasma Effects
Our “Phoenix Rising” globe is the result of a collaboration we did with one of our customers several years ago. He had called to congratulate us on our efforts, and in speaking with him we found out that he had worked with Bill Parker in the 1970’s on the original plasma globes, and was now a plasma globe collector with over 20 globes in his collection. We convinced him to work on developing something different for us, and the globe you see today is the result of his gas formula.
The Junior version of the “Phoenix Rising” is very true to its older sibling. The combination of whitish tendrils with orange tips is very pleasing, and touching the globe generates bright white lightning strikes and vivid splashes of orange on the glass. The globe has a nice range between the lowest and highest power settings, which isn’t possible with some other effects.
The low setting has a relaxed feel with the orange-tipped tendrils moving slowly and gently. As the power is increased, so too is the intensity of the effects. The tendrils fatten and lengthen as they try to escape the globe. This forces the ends to splash against the glass forming what looks like a swarm of fireflies. Touching the globe draws off bright white streamers to each of your fingers while temporarily calming down the other effects.
Experiment with your Plasma Globe!
With double the power of a regular consumer plasma globe, our globes have power to spare. That extra power will come in handy if you want to try any of the fun experiments that are included in your full-color 24-page Owner’s Manual!
Whereas before you would need a fluorescent bulb to do these experiments, we have come up with something even more exciting. In addition to our “Junior Series” globe, we have now released our newly designed plasma-filled “Magic Wands.” We designed the wands as an accessory for our “Museum Series” globes, but our testing found that the Junior globes also have enough power to drive them! The wands interact with our globes and have effects that can rival the globes themselves in beauty. Find out more by visiting our “Magic Wand” product page.
The globe's power knob does have an effect on the “Magic Wands,” so make sure it is turned to high for this type of use.
Important Notes
All of the pictures and videos on our website were taken in near darkness. The descriptions of the effects are based on observations of the globes in the same near darkness. Just as the Northern Lights cannot be seen during the day, our globe’s effects are best viewed in a darkened environment. Increasing levels of ambient light will wash out the effect colors until they almost disappear under full sunlight.
Also, please be aware that no two plasma globes are exactly alike, and there may be variations in color and effect from globe to globe. We test and compare our globes before selecting the one to be used in our presentations as the best overall examples of their series. We make every effort to photograph and present our globes as accurately as possible, but Videos and Photos on this website should be used solely as a guide to what a product should look like, not as an exact representation. Rest assured your plasma globe will be unique and awesome!
Our “Junior Series” globes are made from very strong borosilicate glass, but even so, glass is glass, and thus the globes are not unbreakable. Please keep in mind that even though our “Junior Series” globes may find their way into the hands of younger Plasma Art enthusiasts, they are not toys! Children do not have the same coordination and motor skills as adults, and can possibly damage the globes with their unbridled enthusiasm. The results of breakage pose no greater danger than that from a dropped glass of milk, but adult supervision is strongly advised to prevent any accidents from happening.
