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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."

2 of 166 comments (clear)

  1. I am Glad! by sammykrupa · · Score: 0, Redundant
    I'm glad the gamma-ray bursts are directed into space

    I, for one, am too!

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  2. Silly comment by pclminion · · Score: 1, Redundant
    I'm glad the gamma-ray bursts are directed into space.

    Ummm... We've had thunderstorms for billions of years, and presumably these gamma ray bursts as well. They are completely natural phenomena. If they could negatively affect us, we would have either evolved a method for coping millions of years ago, or we wouldn't even exist today.

    OF COURSE the things are directed into space. Duh.