The 3-metre-tall ribbed sphere looks like a 'visitor' from another planet, dramatically lit and encased within a sturdy steel box. In fact, the giant orb, housed in a cavernous warehouse at the University of Maryland, College Park, is meant to approximate" Earth's core. Ten years in the making, the US$2-million project is nearly ready for its inaugural run. Early next year, the sphere will begin whirling around while loaded with 13,000 kilograms of molten sodium heated to around 105 ℃.
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