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New, Persuasive Theory of Ball Lightning

Posted by Hemos on from the roll-and-pole-'em dept.

Conrad Albrecht-Buehler writes "ScienceNews is running a brief overview of a new theory that attempts to explain ball lightning. The theory is quite persuasive and argues that aerosol particles are formed by charged plasma ions moving outward and collecting water molecules in the air. The aerosol particles form a shell around the plasma that maintains its shape. Certainly a fascinating read!"

36 comments

  1. Plasma cannon, anyone? by maddogsparky · · Score: 3, Interesting
    The descriptions of the high-energy balls that sear through metal, trees and people are remenicent of the plasma cannons in Mech Warrior.

    I can't help but think that if someone is successful at reproducing ball lightning in the lab, the military will make try to make use of it.

    --
    science is a religion
    1. Re:Plasma cannon, anyone? by WinPimp2K · · Score: 1

      1>Seems kinda slow moving to have much utility as a weapon.
      2>Doesn't exactly follow apredictable path. Using it on a battlefield would be like playing soccer with an American style football.
      3>Battlefield directed energy weapons in general have a problem. The energy requirements are enormous. A laser beam that carries the energy equivalent of 25 kilos of high explosive is going to need a whole lot of generator /fuel cells to power it. This would tend to make it a much more expensive (and much less versatile) target than a piece of field artillery that can lob 25 kilo smart shells with a variety of different types of ammunition. Or if you don't like artillery, just consider the small missiles easily mounted on vehicles. As a recnetly in the news example, you just can't make a self contained single shot energy weapon fit in the same sized package as a Hellfire missile that will do equivalent damage.

      I like the idea of energy weapons, but I don't think the BLG 6500 is going to be one of them, and I don't think they will have much of a place on the battlefield. In space, certainly, and possibly as part of a fixed defensive position, but not on tanks or close support aircraft. Having shot my mouth off,I do recall that the US military has been experimenting with directed energy weapons, but I don't know what the results were.

      And giant robots, piloted or not, running across the battlefield just screams out "easy kill" to a modern tank or A-10.

      --

      You either believe in rational thought or you don't
    2. Re:Plasma cannon, anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually, Tesla's last experiment was on creating a high energy discharge with the same properties as ball lightning. It's what his Long Island tower was for. Basically he thought plasma cannons would revolutionize warfare and make conflicts less likely, similar in effect to nuclear weapons. Maybe one day we will see this.

    3. Re:Plasma cannon, anyone? by Merovign · · Score: 1

      Military my hinder, I'm starting tomorrow morning!

      Well, there goes my electrical bill...

    4. Re:Plasma cannon, anyone? by Rogerborg · · Score: 2
      • Using it on a battlefield would be like playing soccer with an American style football

      You use a laser or maser to create an ionised path to the target. Apparently. ;-)

      • And giant robots, piloted or not, running across the battlefield just screams out "easy kill" to a modern tank or A-10.

      Or a pack of teddy bears armed with rope and tree trunks. Apparently. ;-)

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    5. Re:Plasma cannon, anyone? by Winged+Cat · · Score: 1

      And giant robots, piloted or not, running across the battlefield just screams out "easy kill" to a modern tank or A-10.

      Across an open field, sure. But what about in mountains, or forests, or in a city? Or, heck, what about seashore, where they're mostly submerged? "There's a sub somewhere around this location. Grope about 'til you find it, then pick it up and bring it ashore." Or, "dive, swim to this location, stand on the sea bottom, lift this enemy boat out of the water, and carry it into port. Shake 'em around if they try to get cute with depth charges."

  2. Pictures of Ball Lightning by panthro · · Score: 5, Informative

    I realize they're pretty hard to come by, but does anyone have any really 'good' or 'typical' ones? I've never seen ball lightning, and I'm not sure I've seen any good pics of it (having nothing to judge against).

    BL #1 BL #2 BL #3 BL #4

    --
    If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
  3. Never seen it? Make it yourself. by candot · · Score: 4, Informative

    Look, you can make ball lightning in your own home. Note, don't try this at home.


    http://www.angelfire.com/electronic/cwillis/micr ow ave.html

    1. Re:Never seen it? Make it yourself. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I've tried this in a friend's microwave using a similar device. The arcing device was slightly raised by placing it on an overturned pyrex dish.

      Although we could not get it to generate ball lightning we did melt a hole through the pyrex dish.

      Pyrex melts at around 1500 DEG F!!!

  4. I tried it at home . . . by slurry47 · · Score: 1

    . . . and it works good!

    Lots of ordinary, every-day objects get way funner when put in a microwave oven.

    Try a lightbulb.

    Really.

    --


    Dirt doesn't need luck.
  5. Don't try this at home... by TheMidget · · Score: 1

    Try it at your dorm or your office kitchen instead!