Expert: Ed - 11/22/2008

Question
Hi,

I do not no if these exist, but if they do, i would like to own one.

I am trying to find out if anyone/company out there has a Hologram Globe for sale. I have looked on the internet with not much luck and to tell the truth, I don't no where to start looking for one.

So in short, a smallish box/or whatever, at which when activated projects a Vertically 3D Holographic Global Rotating Image.

I apologise if my request is 10 years before it's time, however i would love to no where i could purchase one if one exist, or if you could forward me onto someone who does no.

Many many thanks

Mark From London, England

Answer
Mark,

This is not really an astronomy question, but wow, it sure is a cool idea...  I am not very well informed on this kind of thing, but here is what I could find.

Basically, it sounds like that kind of thing is still prohibitively expensive.  I'm not sure it's possible at all, with the kind of detail that you'd probably like.  Wikipedia says that, at this point, only well-funded "academics, corporations, and the military" can afford them.

One thought to bear in mind, is NOT to google the word "hologram."  Apparently, that word implies technology that only exists in science fiction, (and possibly at Area 51... who knows).  Instead, try googling the word "holograph," or the phrase "volumetric display."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volumetric_display

In the wikipedia article I just posted, right above this sentence, scroll down and look at the section about "Static Volume."  It sounds like that's where the action is, research-wise.

I wish I knew more about this, but maybe this will get you started.   It sounds like we'll all have to wait a few years for the kind of product you're describing... unless, of course, you happen to own enormous tracts of oil-rich real estate in Saudi Arabia, in which case, go for it!

Maybe you should google the terms I gave you, as a starting point, just to get your feet wet.  Then, once you've acclimated your brain to some of the bizarre techno-jargon, try asking some more tech-savvy AllExperts (not in the Astronomy section!) some questions about hot research trends in promising areas.

Best,
--Ed