Subject: Fwd = Anatomy of a Lightning Ball
From: Frits Westra <fwestra@...>
Date: 10 Feb 2002 14:19
Forwarded by: fwestra@... (Frits Westra) URL: http://www.sciencenews.org/20020209/bob8.asp Original Date: Sun, 10 Feb 2002 07:01:24 -0600 ========================== Forwarded message begins ====================== Anatomy of a Lightning Ball An aerial wonder, pondered for ages, no longer seems so ghostly Peter Weiss Not many people get to see ball lightning, but those who do never forget it. Imagine a glowing orb suddenly materializing in front of you, possibly sizzling or exuding a bluish mist and an acrid smell. The globe may be larger than a beach ball and dart through the air, perhaps hovering occasionally as if considering its next move. The ball may also roll or bounce along the ground, climb utility poles, and skitter along power lines. As it travels, the fiery sphere may destroy electrical equipment, ignite fires, and even singe animals or people. After only 10 seconds or so, the apparition typically vanishes abruptly. Some balls flick out in silence, like a lamp turning off. Others burst with sharp bangs and fiery streamers. Despite half-a-millenniums worth of anecdotal reports and two centuries of scientific investigations, no one yet can say for sure just what ball lightning is. Lately, however, a small group of researchers has developed theories and reported experimental results that appear to explain some features of ball lightning that previous models couldnt account for. --[FULL article with pictures at above URL]---- ========================== Forwarded message ends ========================