Lightning maps show where 36.8 million strikes sizzle the US each year

Do you live in a lightning hotspot? A new set of maps shows just where all that discharged electricity makes contact with the ground across the United States each year. Tip: If you’re worried about getting hit, you might want to skip Florida.Continue R… Continue reading Lightning maps show where 36.8 million strikes sizzle the US each year

Get a 5-Foot Fast Charging Universal Cable for Just $21.99

This six-piece key ring cable not only lets you fast-charge all manner of USB devices, it also provides speedy data transfer of up to 480Mbps. Continue reading Get a 5-Foot Fast Charging Universal Cable for Just $21.99

Get a 5-Foot Fast Charging Universal Cable for Just $21.99

This six-piece key ring cable not only lets you fast-charge all manner of USB devices, it also provides speedy data transfer of up to 480Mbps. Continue reading Get a 5-Foot Fast Charging Universal Cable for Just $21.99

Strange new material discovered in “fossilized lightning”

In what sounds like a superhero’s origin story, scientists have discovered a new type of material created after lightning struck a tree. This particular form of crystalline phosphorus has never been seen on Earth, and could belong to a new mineral grou… Continue reading Strange new material discovered in “fossilized lightning”

Scientists guide lightning bolts with laser beams for first time

Lightning rods have been used to guide lightning strikes for centuries, but now scientists have demonstrated something a bit more advanced than a humble metal stick. Beaming a high-powered laser into the sky was shown to deflect lightning bolts, which … Continue reading Scientists guide lightning bolts with laser beams for first time

Excited molecules explain the mysterious zigzag patterns of lightning

Lightning strikes are thought to occur almost 50 times a second around the world, but there is still much for us to learn about these incredibly energetic flashes of light. One particularly longstanding mystery is why lightning takes on a zigzag shape … Continue reading Excited molecules explain the mysterious zigzag patterns of lightning

Electric sparks from plants during thunderstorms may affect air quality

Fascinating new research from atmospheric scientists at Penn State University has found during thunderstorms, electrical discharges on tree leaves can generate significant volumes of chemicals that may affect the air quality in surrounding forests.Cont… Continue reading Electric sparks from plants during thunderstorms may affect air quality