Abstract: A lighting apparatus is provided having a plurality N of light sources arranged annularly around the optical axis of a reflector. The efficiency of such an apparatus and its service life are improved by providing a central mirrored column which is symmetrically disposed with respect to the light sources. The column has C.sub.N or D.sub.N symmetry and reflects light emitted by the light sources away from the light sources themselves, thereby reducing the amount of light reflected back at the light sources and reducing their thermal load. The column has peaks that extend into the notional annulus on which the light sources are arranged to shield adjacent light sources from each other.

Abstract: A light source having a single glass bulb housing and a multiple of three electrically interconnected fluorescent tubes. The tubes are located outside of the focal point of a smooth curved mirror. The phases of the fluorescent bulbs are electrically overlapped so as to substantially eliminate flickering of the light and to maximize the light intensity.This is a file wrapper continuation of application Ser. No. 166,783, filed Mar. 2, 1988; which is a file wrapper continuation of application Ser. No. 859,614, filed on May 5, 1986, both now abandoned.