Collaborate Disseminate
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”
Few things are more impressive than a lighting strike. Lightning can carry millions of volts and while it can be amazing to watch, it is somewhat less amazing to be …read more Continue reading Turns Out, Lighting Can Strike Twice, With a Little Help
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
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
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
While a thunderstorm can put on quite a show for spectators on the ground, the best bits often happen above the clouds. Scientists have now described in detail the most powerful “gigantic jet” of lightning ever observed, which blasted energy equivalent… Continue reading “Gigantic jet” lightning blasts record-breaking bolt upwards into space
Lightning is one of the more mysterious and fascinating phenomenon on the planet. Extremely powerful, but each strike on average only has enough energy to power an incandescent bulb for …read more Continue reading Computer Vision Extracts Lightning From Footage
Along with many other natural phenomena, lightning is probably familiar to most. Between its intense noise and visuals, there is also very little disagreement that getting hit by a lightning …read more Continue reading The Electrifying Debate Around Where Lightning Comes From
A lightning strike that lit up the sky across three US states has been confirmed as the longest on record, with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) today certifying the 768-km (477-mile) length of the flash that occurred back in April 2020. The… Continue reading Longest lightning strike on record stretches 477 miles over 3 US states
Lightning is a force to be reckoned with: ever since ancient times, humans have been in awe of the lethal power of lightning strikes and the deafening roar of thunder. …read more Continue reading Kinetic Art Installation Brings All the World’s Lightning to One Place