With its giant arcing sparks and unnerving noise, Griffith Observatory's Tesla coil is one of its most memorable and iconic exhibits. Millions have seen it in operation, throwing its lightning-like discharges to the walls of its alcove. Now restored and moved to a new alcove designed to minimize its external electrical disruptions, the Tesla coil is ready to thrill new generations of visitors. A Tesla coil converts low-voltage alternating current electricity to very high voltage and increases the frequency. Tesla coils have a long and colorful history in science and technology sideshows. Before the Griffith Observatory Tesla coil went on display in 1937, it belonged to Dr. Frederick Finch Strong. He was a physician and instructor at Tufts University in Massachusetts. Dr. Strong used electricity in the healing process and relied heavily on Tesla coils as part of his work. Eventually, he donated the major components of this instrument to the City of Los Angeles. Tesla coils are part of a great dream to provide electricity without using wires. Electricity became widely available around 1900, when the 铿乺st networks began to send power to homes and businesses over transmission lines. Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) invented the Tesla coil. The Westinghouse company used Tesla鈥檚 designs for generators and distribution systems to build a power station at Niagara Falls. The power grid that we use to bring electricity to our homes is based on Tesla鈥檚 work. Observatory staff demonstrates the Tesla Coil several times each day we are open. For the schedule go to are Programs page.
What Is Android Auto? Is the Porsche 911 Reliable? The 2019 Porsche 911 earns a good predicted reliability rating of four out of five from J.D. Porsche covers the 2019 911 with a four-year/50,000-mile warranty. That鈥檚 similar to the warranties of many luxury sports cars. The 2019 Porsche 911 has not been crash tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. That鈥檚 common among luxury sports cars. Standard active safety features include a rearview camera and front and rear parking sensors. Available features include adaptive cruise control, lane change assist, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and a speed limit indicator. Which Porsche 911 Model Is Right for Me? The Porsche 911 comes in approximately two dozen trims. Almost all of them come standard with rear-wheel drive and a coupe body style. All-wheel drive is available in most models, and many are available as a cabriolet (convertible). A few are offered as a 911 Targa model, with a power-retractable center roof panel.
Standard and available features are similar throughout the lineup. The differences between trims are largely about performance and style. Therefore, choosing the right trim will depend on what you鈥檙e looking for. Several of the Carrera models (base Carrera, Carrera 4, and Carrera S) are a good value because they come with many tech and safety features, and they don't cost nearly as much as some of the higher 911 trims. As you move up the 911 ladder, the car鈥檚 power and sportiness factors increase significantly. 98,000) is essentially the same as the Carrera but it adds all-wheel drive. The Carrera and Carrera 4 come as a convertible or a 911 Targa 4, which features a power-retractable center roof panel (which retracts into the back of the car) and all-wheel drive. 112,000) adds all-wheel drive. Like the Carrera, both versions are available as convertibles, and a Targa 4S model is available as well.
120,700. The main difference between the GTS and the lower trims is the engine. It has the same displacement, but it puts out 450 horsepower. The GTS also adds sport seats with additional side support, a restyled exterior, and the Sport Chrono package, which includes a stopwatch and additional driver assistance features. The GTS is available as a convertible or a Targa. Like the earlier trims, each can be outfitted with all-wheel drive. 143,600. One of the 911鈥檚 high-performance trims, the GT3 features a 500-horsepower six-cylinder engine. The uprated GT3 RS is even more track focused. 161,800. It features a 540-horsepower engine, a seven-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive. The manual transmission is not available in the Turbo. Otherwise, the Turbo has many of the same standard and optional features as the lower trims. 190,700. It squeezes even more power out of its engine for a total output of 580 horsepower, and it gains 14-way power-adjustable front seats, carbon fiber accents, and active stabilizer bars. Both the Turbo and Turbo S are available as convertibles.
293,200. It offers the 911 Turbo鈥檚 twin-turbocharged engine but cranks up its output to a blistering 700 horsepower and comes exclusively with rear-wheel drive. It accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds. Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Porsche dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Porsche deals page. The 2019 Porsche 911 is an excellent car. It鈥檚 fast and nimble, it features an impressive lineup of strong and stronger engines, and its interior swaddles occupants in luxury. For all these reasons, the 911 finishes among the top of our luxury sports car rankings. However, this is a class full of exceptional vehicles, and many others are worth a look. 30,000 less. The Chevrolet Corvette gives the 911 a racetrack run for its money in terms of driving dynamics, and the Mercedes-Benz SL has one of the nicest interiors of any car on the road. If you do end up choosing the 911, it's a decision you're unlikely to regret. Don鈥檛 just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.