If we were to burn NH4Cr2O7 with HgSCN in the Dark Ages in Europe and show it to anyone, it is us who would be burning next on a fiery cross of Inquisition. And it’s no wonder, since this experiment produces a truly marvelous result. At first, as you ignite the mixture of NH4Cr2O7 and HgSCN, all you can see is that it is slowly burning with a reddish flame. After a while, however, a crater is formed in the middle of the burning pile, and then, suddenly, tentacle-like appendages start sprouting from the burning mixture. And you can almost hear the scream of the mad occultist – “Come forth, Kraken! Come forth!” But of course, this is simply a chemical reaction that is called the "Pharoah's Serpent". It was also often sold in firework stores until people realized that it was toxic.

A photographer has weathered some of Americas most violent storms to capture these stunning snaps. Storm chaser Mike Mezeul II, 30, has travelled all over the US to shoot the likes of mammoth thunderstorms and surreal cloud patterns. His incredible collection of storm images are the result of more than 15 years of photography and thousands of miles of travel. The photographer, from Frisco in Texas, USA, became interested in storm chasing aged 16 when he got his first car. He has since shot ferocious storms as far north as the Canadian border and as far south as Mexico. (Photo by Caters News)

Employees stand near an airframe for the second Antonov-225 Mriya plane at Antonov aircraft plant in Kiev, Ukraine, September 7, 2016. Ukraine hopes to attract $500 million of investment from China to complete an updated version of the world's biggest aircraft, the Antonov-225 Mriya, the president of manufacturer Antonov said on Wednesday. (Photo by Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters)

Reverend Simon Davis prays with the dancers before the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance in Abbots Bromley, Britain, September 12, 2016. The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance is an English folk dance dating back to the Middle Ages. (Photo by Darren Staples/Reuters)

A horse named Quinn, with a skeleton painted on it to help educate officers, is pictured during a visit by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (unseen) and Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (unseen) to the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment at the Hyde Park Barracks in west London on October 24, 2017. (Photo by Chris Jackson/AFP Photo)

Automated guided vehicle robot “Ray” lifts up an Audi car during a pilot project at the parking area of the Audi plant in Ingolstadt, Germany, May 13, 2015. The robot has been designed to help make work more efficient and more comfortable for employees, some whom walk up to eight kilometres a day, while coordinating the finished cars for the subsequent train transportation. “Robot Ray” technology, currently being used at Dusseldorf International Airport in Germany, claims to be able to park 60 per cent more vehicles in one area compared with a human driver. (Photo by Michaela Rehle/Reuters)

Rope access technicians carry out maintenance service on wind turbines including repairs, blade inspections and cleaning in Izmir, Turkey on February 19, 2021. In Turkey, where investments in renewable energy has increased, there are wind tribunes over 3,500. (Photo by Mahmut Serdar Alakus/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The mother of a protester mourns at a hospital after her son was killed was killed during clashes on March 03, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. Medics and health workers have found themselves on the front lines and under intense pressure, as they try to help anti-coup protesters as resistance continues to erupt across the country, to be met with deadly force by the military junta. (Photo by Stringer/Getty Images)