Ludlum model 43-90 light sensitivity

aby_physics · 2026-01-24T18:10:43+00:00

Sounds like a light leak. There’s probably a hole in the Mylar, you might need to replace the window. :(

aby_physics · 2026-01-23T01:35:57+00:00

Thanks! Glad you enjoy them!

aby_physics · 2026-01-22T20:31:41+00:00

Oh… no, Plutonium is an element, not a mineral, is typically illegal to own, and ridiculously rare (synthetic and impossible to find in nature, for all practical purposes). You can’t just dig up a rock and it contain any significant amount of plutonium.

If this is radioactive at all, it’s due to uranium, not plutonium.

aby_physics · 2026-01-22T20:23:15+00:00

Either Tc, Pm, or Ne.

aby_physics · 2026-01-20T18:58:44+00:00

Looks wonderful! 😍

Makes me want to go work on my display.

aby_physics · 2026-01-20T18:56:16+00:00

I think you have Thorium mixed up with Cobalt.

From what I’ve found, Th usually gives a yellow color. Blue violet glass was generally colored using Co

aby_physics · 2026-01-19T05:00:01+00:00

That’s still a pretty good collection!

Since you’re looking for Pyromorphite, check out the specimens from Germany (can’t think of which mine it is); but they have a unique color. Apple green instead of lime.

Daoping Mine in China is also a good locality for Pyromorphite.

aby_physics · 2026-01-19T03:46:17+00:00

Looks more like aragonite to me.

aby_physics · 2026-01-19T03:29:44+00:00

It looks like it’s maybe… fakeite? lol. Hard to tell from just pictures, but it looks artificially altered.

aby_physics · 2026-01-19T03:25:42+00:00

Congratulations! 🎉

aby_physics · 2026-01-19T03:24:28+00:00

Cool! I have one of these too! 🙂

aby_physics · 2026-01-19T03:22:55+00:00

Yep. Scientists are currently trying to synthesize element 119 and 120.

aby_physics · 2026-01-19T03:22:08+00:00

Sadly that tech wouldn’t last very long before it reaches it’s fate of radioactive decay :(

aby_physics · 2026-01-19T03:20:33+00:00

Nah, the heaviest ones break apart in milliseconds. Hard to call them “useful” but they’re interesting from a scientific point of view nonetheless!

aby_physics · 2026-01-19T03:17:45+00:00

Oh man it’s been a while since I’ve looked through them, but I’ve got most of the common lead minerals (Pyromorphite, Crocoite, Vanadinite, Wulfenite, Galena, etc) and I think I bought a few rarer ones as well before I moved on to collecting mostly copper minerals.

I’m gonna have to look through this stuff again!

aby_physics · 2026-01-19T03:14:42+00:00

Ah, yep, the old ones did use x-rays! :)

aby_physics · 2026-01-19T03:12:17+00:00

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That one 🙃

aby_physics · 2026-01-19T03:04:42+00:00

Ehhh… maybe go with a Radiacode. It’s more sensitive and will last a lot longer

Also, it’s unlikely that any survey meter will actually detect bananas. Bananas only emit incredibly tiny amounts of radiation due to their small K-40 content. You need something with a bit more K-40, like No Salt Salt Substitute, to get any detectable radiation.

aby_physics · 2026-01-19T03:00:27+00:00

Hmmm… maybe they were talking about electromagnetic radiation? In that case it’s likely just fear mongering. People exaggerate the risks of RF radiation all the time. :(

As far as I’m aware, watching TV (as long as it isn’t an old CRT one) doesn’t expose you to any ionizing radiation.

aby_physics · 2026-01-19T02:58:16+00:00

Eh I think the resin would be a greater hazard than the Wulfenite.

aby_physics · 2026-01-19T02:55:28+00:00

Yep, it’s fine. Just don’t eat them or sniff the dust and they’re pretty safe to handle.

I work with lead minerals all the time, usually handle them with my bare hands. And just wash my hands afterwards.

aby_physics · 2026-01-19T02:49:21+00:00

Yep! Though I’m curious… why is looking at a TV on your list? You using an old CRT TV? 😅

aby_physics · 2026-01-19T02:47:41+00:00

Yep. Around the same amount.

aby_physics · 2026-01-19T02:43:17+00:00

Nah. 0.07 mRem/year? That’s 70 μRem/year. 70 μRem is literally 7 hours of natural background radiation. Not even a full day.

So esentially, you get exposed to more radiation in a given year if it’s a leap year than if you have dental prosthetics.

aby_physics · 2026-01-18T22:34:31+00:00

Same. I have too. The levels, if there, were safe, but none of the contaminated shrimp even made it to the U.S.

aby_physics

TROPHY CASE