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Cosmic Rays Could Reveal Secrets of Lightning On Earth

Posted by samzenpus on from the shocking-discovery dept.

sciencehabit writes: Despite Benjamin Franklin's best efforts with a kite and a key, the phenomenon of lightning remains a scientific enigma. Now, researchers have developed a new tool that could help them solve some of lightning's mysteries. By using cosmic rays, space-traveling particles that constantly rain down on our atmosphere, scientists report they can peek inside thunderstorms and measure their electric fields, helping them pinpoint the conditions that cause storms' electrical outbursts. The advance could help researchers predict more precisely when and where lightning is most likely to strike and get people out of harm's way in time.

3 of 49 comments (clear)

  1. Re:image lightning? you mean seed lightning by Nyder · · Score: 4, Funny

    I thought cosmic rays trigger lightning.

    Nope, cosmic rays created The Fantastic Four and many more: http://marvel.wikia.com/Catego...

    Also a toon named Cosmic Ray: http://www.comicvine.com/cosmi...

    Didn't seem to find any DC toons who's superpowers came from cosmic rays. I didn't look very hard though.

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    Be seeing you...
  2. Re:image lightning? you mean seed lightning by Neil+Boekend · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Hardly. The field strength between thunder clouds and the earth alone is not enough for lightning.
    Yes there are a million volts present. No that is not enough to arc over 1,5 km (1 mile) (distance bottom of an average thunder cloud to the ground). It is approximately enough for 100 meters (1/15th of the required distance) according to the 1 kV/cm rule of thumb.
    Current theory states that high speed cosmic particles ionize the air so the lightning can arc.

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    Well, I might have a way, but it only works on a semi spherical planet in a vacuum.
  3. Re:image lightning? you mean seed lightning by PPH · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Current theory states that high speed cosmic particles ionize the air so the lightning can arc.

    Seems plausible. The Pacific DC Intertie operates at 1 MV line to line (500 kV line to ground). This is a greater field strength than cloud to ground lightning, but it doesn't flash over (nearly as often). So lightning must depend on some property or phenomena that occurs at higher altitudes, but not at or near ground level.

    P.S. Extra points for that 'current theory' pun.

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    Have gnu, will travel.