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Large Storms On Earth Are Particle Accelerators

Posted by timothy on from the you-bet-they-are dept.

MondoMor writes "Apparently, the atmosphere above Earth's strongest storms acts like a particle accelerator, according to a UC Santa Cruz paper. TGFs (Terrestrial Gamma ray Flashes) may occur as seldom as 50 times a day, 'but the rate could be up to 100 times higher if, as some models indicate, TGFs are emitted as narrowly focused beams that would only be detected when the satellite is directly in their path.' I'm glad the gamma-ray bursts are directed into space."

7 of 166 comments (clear)

  1. Particles by Musc · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    I am made out of subatomic particles.

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    Hamsters are at least as feathery as penguins. HamLix
  2. BATSE by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Is BATSE the new competitor to GOATSE?

    Quick, somebody go tell tubgirl!

  3. Go Slugs! by omey · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Thats my school (I am posting from the dorms as I speak.)

    1. Re:Go Slugs! by omey · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      lol! offtopic? I couldn't be any more on topic, I can go have a conversation with the professor who wrote that paper, in real life!

  4. mod 0P by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Minut#es. At home, Megs o7 ram runs

  5. Was this research conducted by a General Ross? by Attackman · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    With Drs. Banner and Samson performing the tests, I'd assume. Assisted by a Mr. Jones, when he's not being annoying.
    Watch what you say about that Banner guy, though. You wouldn't want to make him angry. No, you wouldn't like him when he's angry ;)

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    Ignore the rantings above. Poster is an idiot.
  6. Mystery Spot by towatatalko · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Santa Cruz in the news... just to mention, while you travel near that place in California, visit Mystery Spot, a place that will alter your sense of gravity, a tourist attraction, it has been the place where gravitation forces seem to act wired, something very like the city of S.C. itself. In a few words, if you take your friend with you and he/she is taller then you, in Mystery Spot those roles will be reversed, guaranteed, no bull.

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    IP was invented for the sake of lawsuits.