This gift started out as a science project. The young scientists of Earth to Sky Calculus wanted to see what Earth looked like when viewed through a spherical lens. The answer: very cool. 
 
On Aug. 2, 2024, we flew this crystal ball to the stratosphere onboard a cosmic ray balloon and photographed the planet behind it. After the balloon exploded (as planned), the payload parachuted back to Earth, landing safely in the volcanic tablelands north of Bishop, California.
 
This crystal sphere has the continents of Earth lightly laser-etched on its surface, making it a unique "art meets science" conversation piece. It comes with a greeting card showing the sphere in flight and telling the story of its journey to the stratosphere and back again.
 
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