Celestial flashlights with their own hands

What are they needed for?

Celestial flashlights can become unusual birthday present, a wedding or just a loved one. It's so romantic: to launch a burning heart into the sky.

Recently, flying lanterns became a worthy replacement for fireworks. They rise to the sky at a height of 200-300 meters. The burning time is 15-20 minutes. Celestial flashlights fly by the air heated by the torch. After the burner has dried, the air in the dome cools. Compared with expensive pyrotechnics, which is enough for a moment, the average duration of the flashlight is 30 minutes. Then he slowly descends to the ground.

Let's try to make heavenly lanterns with our own hands. Before we build something, we will determine the choice of form. Here we will consider the shape of the dome. You can experiment: to create a heart, a star, a car or whatever you want.

For one flying flashlight we need the following:

• a thin, light-colored garbage bag for 120 liters;


• tracing paper, which can be purchased at a stationery store;


• wire;


• strip of dense fabric about 4x50 cm;


• liquid fuel for lighting a fire;


• paraffin or wax;


• glue or scotch tape;


• it is desirable to have a fire retardant for paper.

Previously impregnate the paper with flame retardant. This liquid does not burn the paper and has a water repellent effect. Even if the flame of fire touches the tracing paper, there will be only a small burn, there will be no fire.
Let's deploy the garbage bag. To the inside we glue the prepared tracing paper. Kalka saves the package from heating, and the package of tracing paper - from the rain.

Wire twist into a ring, which should be slightly smaller than the diameter of the bag. From the remaining wire we make a cross, in the center of which we mount the burner, and connect it with the ring so, so that the burner is in its center. The resulting design is attached to the prepared dome from the package.

To make a burner, we impregnate the fabric with fuel and paraffin. Then we put the fabric in a rectangle measuring 4x2.5 cm approximately. It is advisable to make 3-4 identical burners. One ignite separately from the structure and check how it burns, what the height of the flame, after how much time it will go out. If the flame is high, remove several layers of tissue, if burned in 10 minutes, then add. Let's light one more corrected burner. If it is suitable, then we will do the same for our flashlight. It is very important to choose the right burner. It depends not only on the altitude of the flight of the heavenly torch, but also on our security.

On a light dome before assembly you can write or draw your dreams and desires. Use water markers or markers for this. Do not damage the thin package.

How to launch heavenly lanterns with your own hands?

It can not do without the help of a friend. The constructed dome should be lifted and spread carefully, so that the burner does not touch its walls. Then, holding the wire, Lower it to the ground to allow the air to warm up more quickly. In a minute, lift it to the chest level. As soon as you feel that the heavenly torch rises high, release it, holding it by the rim.

Do not forget to take a photo to remember your first flying flashlight.

When starting lanterns, make sure that the terrain is open. If there is a strong wind in the street, then it is better to postpone the event the next day. Do not run celestial flashlights next to dry meadows, wood, wooden buildings, gas stations, etc.

Arrange a party at home on the theme: "heavenly lanterns with their own hands." Invite your friends, make a lot of flashlights, and in the evening all of them simultaneously launch them into the sky. You will never forget this day!