Ball Lightning

A_Username · Post by **A_Username** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 7:47 pm

I was watching this show on the Discovery Channel a while ago, it was about natrual phenomena or something. I remember this one segment of the show was about ball lightning or something, I remember this video of this glowing thing that sat on the ground and then either exploded or spun off or something. I was watching this show late at night in like 1999 orsomething so I can't remember much. If anyone knows anything about Ball lightning can you please tell me about it, I've been kinda curious about it and the Internet hasn't been much help.

Thanks:

A_Username

sam fisher · Post by **sam fisher** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 7:56 pm

Look up 'plasmoids' for one explanation for them. They are also supposedly affected by the polarity of magnetic fields, which make sense if they are ionised plasma.

limpport · Post by **limpport** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 7:58 pm

Well, I use this handy little thing called Google, and I found a linky:
http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20020209/bob8.asp

There are a lot more there, so just check google first before asking about this kind of stuff, please!

A_Username · Post by **A_Username** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 8:09 pm

limpport wrote:Well, I use this handy little thing called Google, and I found a linky:
http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20020209/bob8.asp

There are a lot more there, so just check google first before asking about this kind of stuff, please!

Wow, that was a good link! Almost everything I needed to know was right there. I googled "lightning in balls" and I just got results about lightning rods, and what would happen if you got struck by lightning in the....well you get the picture. One more question, how does ball lightning form?

sam fisher · Post by **sam fisher** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 8:24 pm

Did you read the huge multi page article. THEY DONT KNOW FOR SURE. There are many theories. And many produced lab results that are ball lightning but don't neccisarily fit all the required attributes or conditions of 'wild' ball lightning.

sock2828 · Post by **sock2828** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 8:39 pm

what wikipedia has to say about ball lightning and an alleged picture of it http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_lightning

vb_master · Post by **vb_master** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 9:04 pm

F42LOCKED Congratulations! You found the F42 Lock Word 'phenomena'. You have won a thread lock!

Lucretius · Post by **Lucretius** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 11:31 am

Reviewed and unlocked, but keep things clean, alright?

A_Username · Post by **A_Username** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 11:56 am

Lucretius wrote:Reviewed and unlocked, but keep things clean, alright?

Yep, I'll keep things clean. If I can find a way to flame someone about ball lightning, it'll be a sad day.

vb_master · Post by **vb_master** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 12:59 pm

A_Username wrote:
Lucretius wrote:Reviewed and unlocked, but keep things clean, alright?
Yep, I'll keep things clean. If I can find a way to flame someone about ball lightning, it'll be a sad day.

You might be surprised. Ala sam fisher in the time travel thread.

Krepticor · Post by **Krepticor** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 8:15 pm

I read somewher of poeple making balled lightning in their microwave!

Using Steel Wool!

They were insane!

sam fisher · Post by **sam fisher** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 5:43 am

It was a university. Demonstrating the microfilament theory. It wasnt really a ball even and it didnt float. It just glowed and I think it kicked up a bit of plasma too.