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Laser Triggers Electrical Activity In Thunderstorm

Posted by kdawson on from the ionized-path-between-the-clouds-part-deux dept.

esocid writes "A team of European scientists has deliberately triggered electrical activity in thunderclouds for the first time by aiming high-power pulses of laser light into a thunderstorm. At the top of South Baldy Peak in New Mexico during two passing thunderstorms, the researchers used laser pulses to create plasma filaments that could conduct electricity. No air-to-ground lightning was triggered because the filaments were too short-lived, but the laser pulses generated discharges in the thunderclouds themselves up to several meters long. Triggering lightning strikes is an important tool for basic and applied research because it enables researchers to study the mechanisms underlying lightning strikes. Moreover, triggered lightning strikes will allow engineers to evaluate and test the lightning-sensitivity of airplanes and critical infrastructure such as power lines. Research into laser-triggered lightning has been going on for some years. Until now, no experiment was able to produce a long enough plasma channel to affect the electrical activity inside clouds."

8 of 167 comments (clear)

  1. I can think of no possible negative consequences.. by Theatetus · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...to shooting a laser at a big storm cloud trying to generate lightning. None whatsoever.

    --
    All's true that is mistrusted
  2. Lasers again. by Bovius · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sometimes I think these discoveries aren't the result of due scientific process. Sometimes I think a bunch of researchers were sitting around a break room table and said, "Let's shoot lasers at clouds!" Shooting anything with a laser to see what happens is a noble scientific endeavor.

  3. Re:I can think of no possible negative consequence by flaming+error · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just don't cross the beams.

  4. Mwahahaha! by patternmatch · · Score: 5, Funny

    Triggering lightning strikes is an important tool for basic and applied research

    Don't forget supervilliany.

  5. Here's hoping... by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 5, Funny

    A bunch of basement dwellers will rush outside with their mini laser lights to either get zapped by lightning or busted by the police for being terrorists when a plane flies overhead. Their sacrifices for science will be greatly appreciated by the community.

  6. Re:Let me be the first... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    you know, somehow i think it would be more effective just aiming the damn high-power laser at your target.. but maybe that's just me.

  7. Re:Electricity source? by powermacx · · Score: 5, Funny

    I was hanging a clock in the bathroom while standing on the edge of the toilet when I slipped, fell and hit my head on the sink. Then I came up with this:

    ---------
    |   |   |
    |   |   |
    |  / \  |
    | /   \ |
    ---------

  8. Re:Electricity source? by photonrider · · Score: 5, Funny

    Pants?