Firefly Stars
From PyroGuide
From Skylighter newsletter archive: "What is the Firefly effect? Firefly is an interesting effect. It is also called transformation. Perhaps my description of it will make clearer how it appears in the sky. It is generally a star or a comet whose effect consists of variations of charcoal orange (even red) mixed with twinkling silver flashes. The description "transformation" comes from the tendency of some firefly stars to begin as one color (orange from charcoal) and then to "transform" into twinkling silver. This delayed action ignition of the aluminum is caused by the firefly aluminum particles being so large that it takes ‘em awhile to get going."
Firefly #1
Source: rec.pyrotechnics archive. Posted by Eric Eisack.
Preparation:
Aluminum is large flake. It was sieved through a window screen. This gives about 30 mesh powder.
| Potassium nitrate | 50 |
| Charcoal (air float) | 29 |
| Charcoal (80 mesh) | 10.5 |
| Sulfur | 6 |
| Aluminum (large flake) | 4.5 |
| Dextrin or CMC | +5 or +1 |
Firefly #2
Source: rec.pyrotechnics archive. Posted by Dan Bucciano.
Comments: Can also be used as rocket propellant: Mix the chemicals, dampen, and granulate through a 20 mesh screen and dry. Use +3% by weight as a tail effect. Once you have passed the top core of the rocket by 1/2 inch, you may ram 100% firefly formula the rest of the way. You will end up with a beautiful long trailing tail of firefly.
Preparation:
| Potassium nitrate | 47 |
| Charcoal (air float) | 33 |
| Antimony trisulfide | 5.8 |
| Aluminum (400 mesh, 12 micron, spherical) | 4.2 |
| Sulfur | 4.7 |
| Dextrin | 5.2 |
Firefly #3
Source: PML Digest 391, post by L.Niksch <LNiksch@aol.com. This formula is provided with the "firefly aluminum" from Skylighter.
Preparation:
Ball mill potassium nitrate, air float charcoal, sulfur and Dextrin together for 1 hour. Then add the 36 mesh Charcoal and firefly aluminum and mix with a spoon. Add water to make a dough mix and cut with a knife into 3/8" cut stars. Separate stars and dry for 3-4 days. The effect is a long tiger tail going up and firefly sparkles coming down. Larger stars take longer to dry, and a damp star produces very little firefly effect.
| Potassium nitrate | 49 |
| Charcoal (air float) | 29 |
| Charcoal (36 mesh) | 11 |
| Sulfur | 9 |
| Aluminum, firefly | 5 |
| Dextrin | 10 |