Articles tagged with Lightning
Researchers launch DC3 experiment to understand thunderstorms' influence on air just beneath the stratosphere, a little-explored region that affects Earth's climate. They aim to explore ozone formation and its impact on climate change by tracking pollutants and chemical reactions.
Researchers successfully redirect an electrical discharge from its intended target to a normally less-attractive electrode using a virtual lightning rod created with femtosecond pulses of laser light. This feat demonstrates the potential of using laser-based lightning rods for research and protection.
Scientists at Tel Aviv University re-created the atmospheres of Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus to study the presence of lightning sprites. The research aims to understand electrical and chemical processes on other planets, potentially indicating the presence of extraterrestrial life.
Research reveals a new freshwater source for Antarctic coastal waters, where meltwater from glaciers drives high discharge rates. Phytoplankton also affect clouds and precipitation, leading to increased cloud albedo and reduced cloud droplet radius.
Researchers at the Boys Town National Research Hospital found that noisy classrooms significantly affect young students' ability to learn. Meanwhile, a new study on deaf infants with cochlear implants shows they don't automatically know how to listen when people speak. Cognitive psychologists also explored the power of single words in ...
Scientists have discovered a new method to estimate volcanic plume properties by detecting lightning in ash clouds. This approach allows for remote monitoring of plume height and is detectable over thousands of kilometers away.
The Firefly satellite, developed by University of Maryland students, will study Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs) and their link to lightning. The mission aims to answer whether lightning triggers or is triggered by these high-energy flashes.
Researchers have discovered a new method to harness electricity from the air, using a process called hygroelectricity. This technology could provide an alternative energy source for homes and businesses, similar to solar cells, and prevent lightning strikes by draining electricity out of the air.
Researchers explored how prolonged droughts may affect California's water supply system. The study also revealed the first images of Saturn lightning, providing new insights into the planet's atmosphere. These findings suggest improved water management strategies could mitigate the effects of severe droughts on ecosystems and economies.
Researchers from UAF and New Mexico Tech have set up a lightning-mapping array near Eyjafjallajokull to study the volcano's electrical conditions. The team has already observed unusual phenomena, such as upward-propagated lightning into the ash plume.
Physicists at the University of Innsbruck suggest that ball lightning observations may be caused by phosphenes induced in the brain by strong magnetic fields. These fields can produce sensations such as noises or smells and are similar to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) used in clinical practice.
A new study by Tel Aviv University researchers reveals that pollution can significantly alter thunderstorm intensity, leading to changes in local weather patterns and rainfall. The study used lightning patterns as a quantitative measure of the impact of air pollution on cloud development over large areas.
Scientists estimate that lightning produces 8.6 million metric tons of nitrogen oxide gas per year, mostly affecting the upper atmosphere. New research suggests stronger NOx production in mid-latitude thunderstorms than previously thought, with implications for climate and air quality models.
Researchers captured a one-second image of gigantic jets, which are highly charged meteorological events that flash up to the lower levels of space. The study reveals that these events have comparable electrical charges to conventional lightning, but travel farther and faster due to thinner air.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered that volcanic plumes rotate around their axis due to a phenomenon called mesocyclones. This rotation triggers lightning and creates waterspouts or dust devils. The study provides new insights into understanding volcanic eruptions and predicts effects more accurately.
Archaeologists have found significant evidence of an ancient altar and cult activity on Mt. Lykaion, dating back to the Late Helladic period around 3,300 years ago. This supports the theory that Zeus was born in Arcadia, as suggested by ancient Greek poet Callimachus.
The NSF CubeSat program represents a new 'low cost access to space' approach to performing high-quality science. Firefly will explore the relationship between lightning and Terrestrial Gamma Ray Flashes (TGFs), with potential implications for understanding Earth's upper atmosphere and near-Earth space environment.
Researchers used a VHF radio interferometer system to study cloud-to-ground lightning flashes, revealing new characteristics and progression speeds of different types of leaders. The system allows for microsecond-order time and space reconstruction, enabling detailed analysis of lightning flash processes.
Researchers at UF and FIT used electric field and X-ray detectors to study X-rays emitted by lightning. They found that X-rays are produced just below each step of the 'step leader' process, which helps understand how lightning travels.
Researchers successfully triggered electrical activity in thunderclouds by aiming laser light at them, generating plasma filaments that conducted electricity. The technology has potential applications in studying lightning strikes and evaluating the sensitivity of airplanes and critical infrastructure.
A team of researchers has developed a unified theory of lightning discharges, explaining how different types of lightning form. The study reveals that blue jets and bolts from the blue are triggered by specific charge imbalances in clouds, with the height of the cloud influencing their formation.
Researchers can now investigate the relationship between eyewall lightning outbreaks and hurricane strength using highly-sensitive sensors thousands of miles from the storm. The study, supported by NASA and the U.S. Office of Naval Research, uses data from a network of new sensors to improve hurricane forecasts and potentially save lives.
A new NASA model simulates the strength of updrafts in severe storms, predicting more violent thunderstorms and tornadoes with a warmer climate. The study found that continents warm more than oceans, leading to stronger storms with fewer overall.
A study by Princeton University engineers reveals that cities can increase the intensity of summer thunderstorms, with rainfall up to 30% higher than surrounding areas. The researchers also found that urban environments can alter a storm's life cycle and lead to more flash flooding.
Researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks have discovered a correlation between lightning and volcanic eruptions. The study, published in Science journal, used electromagnetic lightning detectors to capture electrical activity during Mount Augustine's 2006 eruption, providing new insights into volcanic behavior.
Researchers found that lightning fires in Appalachian forests can deter the encroachment of shade-tolerant hardwoods, such as red maples. This natural mechanism can aid in the regeneration of oak forests, which are approaching extinction due to human alterations and fire suppression.
A team of researchers found a significant link between ozone levels in Mexico City and US cities like Houston, highlighting the global impact of air pollution. The study used ozonesondes to measure ozone and other atmospheric variables, revealing that pollution from Asia can also affect the Pacific Northwest.
Scientists used NASA satellite data to identify regions with the most intense thunderstorms, finding that eastern Andes Mountains in Argentina and semi-arid regions like Sahara Desert have powerful storms. The study also found that rainy areas like western Amazonia and Southeast Asia experience frequent but relatively few severe storms.
Joseph Dwyer is studying the phenomenon of runaway breakdown in lightning, which creates high-energy electrons that make x-rays. His research aims to understand how lightning works and could lead to new discoveries.
Scientists detected powerful lightning activity in Hurricane Emily's eye-wall and surrounding storms, with electric fields exceeding 8 kilovolts per meter. This finding has generated interest in understanding the link between lightning and hurricane development, intensification, and behavior.
Scientists at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center highlight the dangers of lightning during National Lightning Safety Awareness Week. The study reveals that over 8 million cloud-to-ground lighting strikes occur daily worldwide, with an average of 67 deaths annually in the US.
Research papers in Geophysical Research Letters and Paleoceanography reveal the connection between terrestrial gamma-ray flashes and intracloud lightning, as well as the potential of dinoflagellate microfossils to document past climate changes. The findings suggest that these marine organisms can provide valuable information on ocean c...
Researchers at Duke University captured the clearest video yet of lightning-generated sprites, revealing new details about their development and structure. The team's findings, published in Geophysical Research Letters, provide a better understanding of sprite dynamics and their possible effects on the upper atmosphere.
Researchers have detected a massive lightning storm on Saturn, with flash rates exceeding those of Voyager 1 and intensities comparable to Earth's thunderstorms. The storm has been observed since January 23 and has varied in intensity, with some 25 episodes occurring since its initial detection.
Scientists at Tel Aviv University build a system to create plasma fireballs similar to natural ball lightning, providing insight into the phenomenon. Meanwhile, researchers at Purdue University simulate how to make liquids drip from an opening even without gravity's tug, potentially leading to new applications for printing and microsca...
Researchers have found that high-voltage sparks can produce x-ray bursts, similar to those observed during lightning. This discovery opens the door for studying the poorly understood phenomenon of runaway breakdown in a lab setting.
NASA's National Lightning Safety Awareness Week aims to educate summer swimmers, picnickers, and others on the dangers of thunderstorms. The agency's research has created lightning maps that reveal uneven global distribution of lightning strikes, indicating areas prone to storms.
A study led by Steven Cummer of Duke University and Walter Lyons found that sprites are generated by major lightning strikes. The total charge, as it moves from the cloud to the ground, is most critical in sprite development. Sprites are brief, lasting only 3 to 10 milliseconds, but can be monitored globally using a single sensor.
Scientists detected gamma rays in thunderstorms, contradicting a long-held theory. The study found lightning strokes preceding the gamma rays, suggesting a negative cause-and-effect relationship.
Researchers have developed a system to detect landmines using sound waves, while also studying the water-absorbing properties of aged soot and its potential impact on climate models. Additionally, scientists have made new discoveries about natural lightning, including X-ray emissions during thunderstorms.
Researchers observed a Transient Ionospheric Glow Emission in Red (TIGER) event in the Indian Ocean, defying known luminous events. The event's unusual characteristics suggest an extraterrestrial origin, with no clear explanation for its cause.
Researchers have discovered Cassini findings on Saturn's rings, dust impacts, and radio rotation rate variations. The study found that Saturn's lightning is one million times stronger than Earth's, with some signals linked to storm systems.
Scientists study hydrogen's effect on upper mantle melting, revealing new data for improving earthquake hazard estimates. A computing technique analyzes seismic data to monitor active volcanoes worldwide. Comets may help track solar ejections and heliospheric conditions.
The Imager of Sprites and Upper Atmospheric Lightning (ISUAL) instrument has captured unique images of sprites, jets, and elves in the upper atmosphere. The images show red sprites, blue jets, and elves, which are caused by lightning discharges into the upper atmosphere and ionosphere.
Researchers use the North Alabama Lightning Mapping Array to monitor storm weakening and strengthening, improving severe weather detection. NASA's satellite technology provides near real-time data on severe weather and lightning strikes worldwide, aiming to reduce false alarms and improve forecasting accuracy.
Researchers use X-ray detectors and rocket-triggered lightning to study lightning's complexities. They found that lightning flickers in X-rays at 10,000 times the speed of visible light, with X-ray energies extending up to twice those of a chest X-ray.
Scientists discovered that rapid Arctic warming is releasing ancient carbon into the ocean. Researchers also found a correlation between plasmasphere rotation and Earth's rotation lag, which affects models simulating Earth's plasmaspheric dynamics. Additionally, new models of North Atlantic Ocean circulation can now be run on personal ...
Researchers made new discoveries about the Earth's magnetic field, Mars rover data, and post-earthquake ground movement. A thin layer in the Earth's magnetic field was observed, while a Martian rover's landing site may be coated with iron oxide, affecting water detection. GPS technology also revealed ground movement after an 8.0-magnit...
Researchers at the University of Toronto have identified patterns in electromagnetic fields caused by lightning strikes on tall structures, such as the CN Tower. This study provides crucial insights for designing protective measures, including enclosures for sensitive equipment and special diodes to prevent over-voltage.
Scientists have searched for large electric fields in thunderstorms without success. Dwyer's new theory shows that the atmosphere can only hold a certain sized electric field, stunted by gamma-rays and positrons. The triggering mechanism of lightning remains a mystery.
Researchers found that lightning is the primary source of low-altitude ozone in the tropical Atlantic Ocean, defying previous expectations. The discovery was made using satellite data and computer models, which showed a significant increase in ozone levels near areas with intense lightning activity.
Researchers used satellite data and a computer model to study ozone formation, finding that lightning strikes in tropical Atlantic may be a major contributor. The study combined data from multiple NASA satellites and a Canadian computer model to make the surprising discovery.
NASA has created high-resolution world maps showing the frequency of lightning strikes worldwide, providing unique insights into climate information. The data indicates uneven distribution of lightning strikes globally, with increased activity in certain regions during El Nino events.
A Pittsburgh study reveals that thunderstorm-related deaths predominantly occur among males, with 70% of fatalities attributed to males. The majority of these incidents involve flash floods or lightning strikes while driving, playing sports, or engaging in outdoor activities.
Researchers found that lightning creates significant amounts of nitrogen oxides and ozone in the free troposphere. The study showed that lightning is a major contributor to regional air chemistry, generating more oxidants that help clean up the atmosphere while also producing pollutants like ozone.
A NASA study found that lightning strikes in multiple locations, with 35% of recorded flashes striking the ground in two or more places. On average, each cloud-to-ground flash struck the ground in 1.45 separate places, increasing the risk of being struck by 45%.
A new GPS-based index improves lightning strike forecasts by nearly 10% and reduces false alarm rates by 26% at the Kennedy Space Center. The index combines data on water vapor in the atmosphere with other meteorological data to provide valuable guidance for forecasters.
Researchers collected sprite data during a balloon campaign to study the electromagnetic signature of lightning strokes that produce sprites. The results indicate that negative cloud to ground strokes produce sprite halos seven times more often than positive strokes, suggesting an energy imbalance in the mesosphere.
A recent study reveals that Houston gets more lightning than surrounding areas, with a higher frequency of cloud-to-ground flashes in the summer months. The city's unique combination of urban heat island effects and air pollution may be responsible for this increased activity.
The American College of Emergency Physicians has issued first consensus guidelines on lightning safety before summer storms. These guidelines emphasize the importance of individual responsibility in avoiding lightning injury and provide tips on safer practices, including knowing safe locations and following weather updates.