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Black Light
Posted: Jul 17 2003 5:40 pm
by Nighthiker
I have a black light that I sometimes take with me at night while out on the desert. Scorpions fluoresce when subject to a black light, making it quite easy to observe them in their natural setting. Certain rocks and minerals also fluoresce when subject to a black light. I obtained my light from a Spencers Gift shop. Just another way to enjoy some of the unique things of Arizona.
black light hiking
Posted: Jul 18 2003 9:05 am
by Giovanna
We had a visitor to our class that made geology that much more exciting. She collected minerals that fluoresced. I took some photos that day and though they are poor the effects are amazing. I posted 5 in my gallery. Here is a connection to one so you can see for yourself. Gio
http://hikearizona.com/dex2/album_page. ... &mode=next
Posted: Jul 18 2003 9:34 am
by azhiker96
Giovanna, cool pictures! Thanks for sharing them. Nighthiker, I could have used a black light on a night hike out of Peter's canyon. While scrambling over boulders I got way too close to a scorpion. Neither of us was hurt in the encounter but I wondered how many other close calls I've had without knowing it. It seems at night some scorpions like to get on top of the boulders rather than sculking below them as they do during the day.
Posted: Jul 18 2003 2:01 pm
by ADGibson
Wow. those glow real bright. That's amazing. I have to get a black light when I go fishing. We can just flash it up on the shore and see what pops up.
Posted: Jul 18 2003 2:12 pm
by sherileeaz
azhiker96 wrote:Giovanna, cool pictures! Thanks for sharing them. Nighthiker, I could have used a black light on a night hike out of Peter's canyon. While scrambling over boulders I got way too close to a scorpion. Neither of us was hurt in the encounter but I wondered how many other close calls I've had without knowing it. It seems at night some scorpions like to get on top of the boulders rather than sculking below them as they do during the day.
Regarding the scorpions, I read an article about using a black light to find them, then using a long pair of tongs to put them in a jar and dispose of them. I don't know about any of you, but that's still too close for comfort for me. *shiver*
I'm glad neither of you were hurt AZHiker96!!
Sherileeaz
Posted: Jul 18 2003 2:45 pm
by mttgilbert
when we were kids we used to hunt scorpions with a blacklight and a blowtorch. I know, its inhumane, but what do you want? we were kids... with blowtorches...
Posted: Jul 18 2003 2:57 pm
by olesma
matt gilbert wrote:we were kids... with blowtorches...
Don't get me started on my childhood - two words "home-made explosives"
I've tried to hunt scorpions with black light before - not much luck. But it was darned cool when we did find one.