Friday Fun - The Sarsen Team Witnesses the Solar Eclipse

Author - Laura

Today was quite a special day. Not only have we witnessed a partial eclipse, but it took place on the Spring Equinox during a Supermoon. This is quite rare - the equinox will happen at the same time as a solar eclipse again in 2053 and 2072.

Here at Sarsen we work with exciting technology every day, from embedded systems used on the International Space Station to boards used in segmented mirror telescopes. I think we're quite comfortable with space-level wizardry.

So when we found out there was going to be an eclipse that would be visible here in Wiltshire, we put our best minds to the task of creating a device that would allow us to view the eclipse without damaging our eyesight...

Here's what we came up with...

I think we'll leave the manufacturing to these guys in future... Our Manufacturers

Enjoy your weekend!

Sarsen Gearing Up for UEI Visit Next Week!

On a scale from 1 to Rebecca Black, how excited are you that it's Friday??

We are especially excited, as we have Rick Van Nostrand from United Electronic Industries over next week and we're taking him to see some of our most interesting customers.

UEI is a versatile product line, with application possibilities ranging from automotive testing to power plant monitoring, all the way through to ULV control and vehicle simulators. This means we get to speak to a wide variety of companies, and get involved in some truly diverse projects!

With some brand new opportunities to discuss, and new people to meet, next week is going to be a busy one. If you have an application that you think would benefit from learning a little more about the UEI range of data acquisition and logging products please give us a call on +44 1672 511166, or drop us an email.

Have a great weekend!

Particle Accelleration Controls Ghostly Activity..... In Theory!?

As All Hallows Eve approaches, vampires, witches and things-that-go-bump-in-the-night are at the forefront of every kid's (and us bigger kids) imaginations.  A crucifix on the door and a garlic rosary might scare off old Dracula, but what about the ghosts and ghouls that aren't so frightened of a humble vegetable? Who ya gonna call? 

Ghostbusters use a specialized set of equipment to aid in the capture and containment of ghosts.

The Proton Pack, designed by Dr. Egon Spengler, is an unlicensed, man-portable, nuclear particle accelerator system, that is used to create a particle beam composed of protons which polarizes with the negatively charged energy of a ghost, allowing it to be held in the stream while active. The beam allows a Ghostbuster to contain and hold "negatively charged ectoplasmic entities". The stream "lassos" the entity until it can be contained in a trap. The trap is a box with a hinged lid, remote-controlled by a simple pedal switch, attached to the end of the box by a long cable. When a ghost is brought close to the trap in the particle beam, the ghost trap is activated, its lid opens, and a force field draws the ghost inside.

In order to understand the technology behind the proton pack, you need to understand the basics of quantum physics...... At its most basic (and let’s face it, that’s about our level) - all materials in the universe are composed of atoms, with each atom consisting of three individual subatomic particles: protons, (positive) neutrons, (neutral) and electrons (negative). It’s pretty tough to split an atom, but it can be done.....

As the proton pack is initially powered, the booster begins to provide heavily-charged power to the system; accentuators just below the booster cylinder provide amplification, and alignment of power for use in particle collision within the cyclotron. (FYI - A cyclotron is a type of particle accelerator in which charged particles accelerate outwards from the centre along a spiral path. You probably knew that already…).

As particles are fed into the cyclotron, they are guided via alternating magnetic currents through the spiral, increasing particle speed exponentially. At the point of ideal speed, the atoms are ‘smashed’, breaking them down into their individual parts. As the loose particles are guided through an electromagnetic channel to the neutrona wand, they go through a filter, removing the negatively-charged electrons and neutrally charged neutrons. As the neutrona wand is fired, the stream of positively-charged protons is released from the wand tip, and the “negatively charged ectoplasmic entity”, more commonly called ‘a ghost’, is caught and trapped.

"Theres something very important I forgot to tell you! Don't cross the streams... It would be bad!"

Of course, this is all just theoretical. As are Ectoplasmic Entities. Or are they?

It doesn’t matter - I’m with Ray Parker Jr. on this one.

I Ain’t Afraid of No Ghost!!

Friday 13th. Unlucky for some?

Paraskevidekatriaphobia, or the morbid, irrational fear of Friday 13th, affects as many as 21 million people across the world. Fortunately the fear of a date, and it's lucky or unlucky effect, doesn't affect educated, sophisticated business professionals.
. . . . . . Or does it?

Not at Sarsen Technology! Friday 13th July is the day that culminates a great week for the team. And there's not a black cat in sight!

This week we have had the pleasure of hosting Dwight Justice - VP Sales at Trenton Technology. We have taken him all over the country, talking to customers about the fantastic Trenton product range. We've spoken to a range of markets, including Communications, Displays, High Speed Finance and Military. Trenton have released some brand new products, check them out here - Newsletter.


It's the Marlborough Jazz Festival this weekend. It kicks off tonight with performances from the fantastically named The Filthy Six, and Brewin Dolphin Newcomer nominee the Jessica Mary York Quintet. Saturday sees performances from a Sarsen Technology favourite Eduardo Niebla Trio, and The Jive Aces, fresh from the finals of Britains Got Talent. You can buy tickets here - Tickets

With another full week of appointments coming up, we are all looking forward to a well deserved rest this weekend.


Have a good one!