Heat-Ray - in The Novel

In The Novel

Within the context of the novel, the term "Heat-Ray" is more commonly applied to the destructive energy it projects and not the weapon itself. The weapon that fires the Heat-Ray is described as a box-like or camera-like case that generates the Heat-Ray. This weapon is carried by one of the metallic arms of the Martians' Tripod fighting-machines. In the case of the cylinder, however, the Heat-Ray has a different generator. A tall rod with a spinning circular disk at the top was seen, followed by three puffs of green smoke, then a dome-like object would pop out and fire the Heat-Ray (seen as a flash of light). The cylinder's heat-ray was used in conjunction with a sort of searchlight to kill anyone attempting to investigate the Martian activity. It is also speculated that there is some sort of material used in its production.

The Heat-Ray is essentially a directed-energy weapon that incinerates anything it comes into contact with. It instantly sets ablaze flesh, vegetation and anything else flammable. When the Heat-Ray hits water, it almost instantly turns it into steam. It is also capable of melting metal.

The novel explains:

"in some way they are able to generate an intense heat in a chamber of practically absolute non-conductivity. This intense heat they project in a parallel beam against any object they choose, by means of a polished parabolic mirror of unknown composition, much as the parabolic mirror of a lighthouse projects a beam of light... it is certain that a beam of heat is the essence of the matter. Heat, and invisible, instead of visible, light. Whatever is combustible flashes into flame at its touch, lead runs like water, it softens iron, cracks and melts glass, and when it falls upon water, incontinently that explodes into steam.

The only visible element of the ray was a flash emitted from the chamber while the Heat-Ray is fired. It was described with considerable range, striking targets at distances of at least two miles.

If an actual energy weapon were to be constructed (such as a powerful CO₂ Laser) which projected a beam of infrared light, it should appear much like the Heat-Ray, without any visible "energy bolts".