Nuclear Spinthariscope or something like it, in the UK

April 24, 2004 1:10 PM

I want to buy someone a spinthariscope but want them to have something to look at through it. However the only firm I can find selling a legal alpha-emitter ( Polonium 210) is in the US and won't ship to the UK. What could I find or purchase in the UK which would emit alpha radiation and put on a good light show for a spinthariscope?
posted by Flitcraft to technology (3 comments total)

Many smoke detectors contain Americium-241, which emits alpha particles.
posted by Danelope at 3:14 PM on April 24, 2004

thanks for drawing heat to MeFi from the NSA online word police

(how I miss the days of Tommy the Terrorist)
posted by Fupped Duck at 3:54 PM on April 24, 2004

The mantles from a coleman-type lantern would probably work
posted by milovoo at 9:42 AM on April 25, 2004