Articles tagged with Lightning
A 3D study of a massive electrical discharge in an Oklahoma thunderstorm has provided new information about gigantic jets. The discharge carried 100 times as much electrical charge as typical lightning bolts, and included relatively cool plasma streamers and hot leader structures.
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have made a groundbreaking discovery about the origin of lightning using radio telescopes. They found that the sources of lightning are indeed the streamers, or tiny spark-like discharges, supporting one of two competing theories on how lightning begins.
Researchers at Durham University have identified a medieval text written by Benedictine monk Gervase of Christ Church Cathedral Priory as the earliest known account of ball lightning in England. The description, composed around 1200, matches historical and modern reports of the phenomenon.
A 2020 volcanic eruption in the Philippines showed how explosive eruptions can create lightning, shedding light on the eruption's behavior. The study used global lightning detection, satellite images, and social media photos to characterize the eruption.
Researchers at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology developed a graphene sensor that detects electric fields with improved efficiency and reduced size. The mechanism involves the transfer of charges between graphene and traps, allowing for the detection of field polarity and magnitude.
Researchers developed a tool to investigate cause of death when skeletonised remains are recovered, providing a breakthrough in forensic lightning pathology. The study identified unique markers of lightning damage deep within the human skeleton, allowing for recognition of lightning strikes even when only dry bone survives.
Researchers developed a new protocol called Blitz that improves the security and efficiency of cryptocurrency transactions. The new protocol reduces communication rounds to a single round, increasing practicality and reducing failed transactions by a factor of 4-33 compared to traditional Lightning Network.
A new study predicts a decline in lightning-caused ignitions but an increase in the size of wildfires by mid-century. Human-caused fire ignitions are expected to remain steady, while climate change is expected to worsen social inequalities and lead to more extreme wildfire events.
Researchers discovered unique changes to the ionospheric D-region triggered by thunderstorms and solar flares. These findings have implications for improving long-range communications like GPS.
A new protocol has been developed at TU Wien that improves the security and speed of Bitcoin transactions. The new protocol reduces failed transactions by a factor of 4 to 33 compared to the conventional Lightning network.
A recent airborne study reveals extreme amounts of hydroxyl and hydroperoxyl radicals generated by lightning, suggesting a substantial proportion of global atmospheric oxidation. The results could indicate that lightning-generated oxidants are responsible for between 2-16% of the Earth's atmosphere oxidizing capacity.
Researchers found lightning and subvisible discharges produce extreme amounts of hydroxyl radical and hydroperoxyl radical, which break down greenhouse gases like methane. The findings suggest these electrical events could significantly affect ozone and atmospheric models.
Analysis of data from a lightning mapper and radiation detector revealed neutrons generated from soil by large cosmic-ray showers, matching simulations that included both hadrons and gamma rays. This discovery suggests natural phenomena producing ground-pointed gamma-rays could produce similar neutron burst signatures.
A study published in Nature Climate Change predicts a significant increase in Arctic lightning strikes by the end of the century. This rise in lightning will drive both wildfires and further warming above the Arctic Circle.
A new study suggests that lightning strikes provided sparks of life for early Earth, unlocking phosphorus to create biomolecules. The researchers estimated that 0.1 to 1 quintillion lightning strikes occurred over a billion years, providing usable phosphorus.
Researchers from the University of Leeds have established that lightning strikes played a vital role in creating conditions for life to emerge on early Earth. The team discovered large amounts of phosphorous minerals, essential for life, in fulgurite formed by lightning strikes.
Analysis of upward flashes suggests a possible explanation for the formation of luminous structures after electrical discharges split in the atmosphere. The study found that a low-luminosity discharge with a structure resembling a paintbrush may change direction, split in two, and define the path of the lightning flash.
Researchers studied severe thunderstorms and lightning activity in Beijing, finding that squall lines and multi-cell thunderstorms are the main types of lightning disaster weather systems. They also discovered a strong relationship between lightning frequency and model parameters, which can be used to improve forecast accuracy.
Researchers investigated luminescence caused by landslides and found different rocks emit light due to unique reasons, with granite exhibiting remarkable photoemission. The study uses ultra-sensitive cameras and spectroscopes to analyze the phenomenon, which could lead to advancements in earthquake prediction and disaster prevention.
The LNU Lightning Complex fire has burned approximately 583.11 square miles, while the SCU Lightning Complex fire has burned around 666.47 square miles, according to NASA's Terra satellite imagery. These two complexes are among California's second and third largest fires in history.
A massive wildfire complex has engulfed California, with over 650 fires burning in the state. NASA's Terra satellite captured the smoke-engulfed state on August 24, 2020, revealing a pervasive smoky pall that has affected areas from California to Minnesota and Nebraska.
The Suomi NPP satellite captured images of California's massive wildfires, which merged to form two complexes: LNU Lightning Complex and SCU Lightning Complex. The fires were started by lightning strikes and are fueled by hot air that creates pyrocumulus clouds.
Scientists have unexpectedly found lightning in Jupiter's upper atmosphere, with ammonia playing a crucial role. The discovery reveals a complex atmosphere that challenges previous predictions, indicating an unexpected process causing the phenomenon.
Research reveals that lightning damages approximately 832 million tropical trees each year, with a quarter of them dying from injuries. The study found that lightning strikes are more frequent in forests, savannas, and urban areas, altering ecosystem dynamics.
A recent study from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics found that lightning activity and charge structure varied before and after a severe hailfall. The research suggests that lightning data can serve as an indicator for hazardous weather phenomena and improve short-term forecasting.
The collaboration provides new insights into Jupiter's turbulent weather, including the association of lightning outbreaks with specific cloud structures. The team maps lightning flashes onto optical images, revealing a three-way combination of clouds and clear regions that facilitate convection and energy release.
A Tel Aviv University study reveals a direct connection between electrical fields in the atmosphere and those found in living organisms, including humans. This finding may lead to revolutionary medical treatments for illnesses such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease.
A CU Boulder-led study reveals human-sparked fires are becoming more frequent and occurring over longer seasons, presenting new challenges for U.S. wildfire managers and firefighters. The shift toward more human-caused fires results in decreased fire intensity and size, but may not be a good thing due to changes in ecosystem roles.
Researchers clarify the process by which gamma-ray flashes are generated from thunderstorms, discovering they can produce an ultraviolet emission known as an Elve. The findings reveal that high-electric fields produced just prior to a lightning bolt within the thunderstorm cloud trigger the TGF.
Researchers at ORNL demonstrated an additively manufactured polymer layer can protect carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) from aircraft lightning strikes. The polymer layer, applied to CFRP, showed minimal damage upon simulated lightning strike tests, providing a continuous path for heat dissipation.
Researchers at EPFL developed a simple and inexpensive AI-based system to predict where and when lightning will strike, using standard meteorological data. The method has been proven correct almost 80% of the time and offers a new way to predict complex phenomena like lightning strikes.
TU Wien's blockchain research lab has developed a software tool called Coinshuffle to collect and merge transactions, creating anonymous Bitcoin transactions. The lab also solved scalability issues in Lightning Networks, enabling private transactions without compromising security.
Researchers at Saarland University have developed a system that predicts lightning and thunderstorms using artificial intelligence and satellite images. The system achieves an accuracy of 96% for predicting flashes within the next 15 minutes, and aims to reduce false alarms by training on additional features.
Scientists at the University of Tokyo have discovered a connection between lightning strikes and gamma-ray phenomena in thunderclouds. Weak gamma-ray glows may precede lightning bolts, offering new insights into the mechanism underlying lightning discharge. The research aims to improve predictive models for lightning strikes, potential...
Researchers suggest ancient supernovae induced proto-humans to walk on two legs, resulting in bipedalism and eventual human evolution. The study proposes that atmospheric ionization triggered an upsurge in cloud-to-ground lightning strikes, igniting forest fires and stimulating the transition from woodland to savanna.
Researchers at KIT have discovered needle-shaped structures in positively charged plasma channels, which may explain why lightning does not always discharge at once. The discovery was made using high-resolution data from the LOFAR radio telescope.
Researchers have discovered needle-like structures in positively charged lightning leaders that store negative charges, causing repeated discharges to the ground. This new finding explains why lightning often strikes twice and provides a deeper understanding of lightning development.
Scientists at the University of New Hampshire have documented a unique event called fast negative breakdown, which shows that lightning can form in clouds through an upward pathway. This discovery provides new insight into how lightning begins and spreads, and may lead to a better understanding of this natural phenomenon.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a technique to detect potential cyber attacks on electric substations using signals from distant lightning. By analyzing radio frequency signals emitted by substation components, security personnel can authenticate the authenticity of the signals and prevent malicious actors...
A new study by Tel Aviv University researchers suggests that extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields from lightning, known as Schumann Resonances, may protect cells from damage under stress conditions. The study found significant effects on living heart cells of rats within 30-40 minutes when exposed to these fields.
Researchers from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics in China used a long-baseline lightning location network to track more than 30 red sprites. The study found that most sprite-producing cloud-to-ground strokes occurred during the mature stage of an asymmetric mesoscale convective system, with locations typically within 10 km.
Five large fires in Oregon's southwest corner are burning out of control due to a region-wide lightning storm on July 15. The Garner Complex and Taylor Creek Fire have combined to become the largest fire, with the Taylor Creek Fire growing to 41,103 acres.
A team of researchers found that the sun's rotational cycle influences lightning activity in Japan, with peaks every 24 to 31 days. The solar cycle affects the level of solar activity, which amplifies the rhythm of lightning activity.
A team led by the University of Utah has observed lightning-triggered gamma-rays in more detail than ever before, detecting 10 bursts of downward terrestrial gamma ray flashes between 2014 and 2016. The study provides a major advance in understanding the production mechanism of these rare and high-energy radiation events.
A new case report warns of the potential danger of lightning strikes to patients with deep brain stimulators. The authors suggest precautions such as using surge protectors, charging devices first before plugging in, and strictly following manufacturer instructions to minimize risk.
Electrically charging a plane could significantly reduce its risk of being struck by lightning, according to MIT researchers. The proposed system would charge the aircraft to a negative level to dampen the more highly charged positive end, preventing it from reaching a critical level and initiating a lightning strike.
Researchers at Amherst College and Aalto University have created a three-dimensional skyrmion in a quantum gas, exhibiting properties similar to ball lightning. The persistence of these knots could be key to keeping plasma intact in fusion reactors.
A new study forecasts a 15% drop in average global lightning flashes by 2100 due to climate change. This could lead to fewer wildfires and reduced impact on infrastructure, as well as altered greenhouse gas emissions.
Scientists developed a lightning-based approach to predict short-duration rainfall, using sharp increasing rates of lightning flashes to provide early warnings. The new method was tested over the Beijing Metropolitan Region and showed encouraging model performance, with successful early warnings for 67.8% of moderate and 87.0% of inten...
A team of Japanese researchers from Kyoto University used gamma-ray detectors to study the effects of lightning on atmospheric elements. They found that lightning emits positrons, a form of antimatter equivalent to electrons, through interactions with nitrogen and other elements in the atmosphere.
A new study finds that ship exhaust aerosol particles alter cloud formation, leading to more lightning and intensified storms. Researchers detected nearly twice as many lightning strokes above heavily-trafficked shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean and South China Sea.
Researchers at Penn University studied the effects of a lightning strike on granite rock, using X-ray diffraction analysis to determine the mineral content and temperature. The study found that the rock was raised from ambient temperatures to at least 1,700 degrees Celsius, with organic material trapped in the glass layer.
Scientists analyzed dozens of TGFs launched by tropical storms, confirming that storm intensity alone is not the key factor for producing these events. Most TGFs occurred as systems intensified, with stronger electric fields driving clouds higher into the atmosphere.
The Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) instrument on NOAA's GOES-16 satellite is transmitting data for the first time, giving forecasters richer information about lightning and improving severe weather alerts. The mapper detects in-cloud lightning, which can occur up to 10 minutes before potentially deadly cloud-to-ground strikes.
University of Washington researchers have developed a method to transform lightning strikes into weather-relevant information, improving storm forecasts. The new method uses data from the WorldWide Lightning Location Network and has been tested on several cases, including a 2012 derecho thunderstorm system and a 2013 tornado.
Researchers investigated cloud-to-ground (CG) and intracloud (IC) lightning characteristics over the Beijing Metropolitan Region from 2005-2007. They found IC lightning occurs more frequently than CG lightning, with most activity occurring during summer months and a southeastwardly increasing pattern in flash density.
Researchers developed a unique method to measure lightning strike energy by analyzing 'fossilized' sand cylinders created by thousands of years-old lightning strikes. The team found that the energy released in a single bolt of lightning peaks at over 20 megajoules per meter.
Scientists capture lightning flash using high-speed camera at 7,000 frames per second as part of research on thunderstorm dynamics. The camera will be used to study upward electrical discharges from starters, jets and gigantic jets.
A Louisiana State University student-led team has been awarded a $200,000 grant to develop an instrument that will fly into a thunderstorm to measure how lightning produces high-energy gamma-rays. The project, called Correlation of Terrestrial gamma flashes, Electric fields and Lightning strikes, aims to study the electrical and radiat...
Researchers discovered that trap-jaw spiders can snap their chelicerae shut at incredible speeds, outperforming even the fastest muscles. This high-speed predatory behavior has evolved multiple times within the Mecysmaucheniid family of spiders.