Ball lightning: What is this spectacular natural phenomenon all about?
A rare and mysterious phenomenon has puzzled scientists for years. It's called globe or ball lightning, like something you'll see in a sci-fi movie. In this strange phenomenon, lightning takes the form of a spherical ball, which can vary in size from a few centimetres to several metres in diameter. Only a few people around the world have witnessed ball lightning, and it's not just limited to one colour. Ball lightning can be seen in various colours, such as red and yellow, adding to their mystical aura. Globe lightning has fuelled many mythical stories in various cultures, and it remains a topic of fascination for both the scientists and commoners alike. Do you want to know more about this mysterious phenomenon? Keep reading to delve deeper into this celestial wonder.
The science behind ball lightning
Spherical form of lightning is a fascinating phenomenon that scientists have been studying for many years. However, we still don't know a lot about it. Ball lightning appears as a glowing ball or disk. Some people have even reported experiencing a strange sulphur smell when they see it. But scientists are still trying to figure out exactly what causes it and how it works. One theory is that it's just a normal lightning bolt that looks different because of how our eyes perceive it. But if that's the case, then how do we explain the sulphur smell? Well, that’s a mystery for sure. There are many different theories about ball lightning, and scientists are still debating about the most accurate one. Some think it's caused by electromagnetic radiation, while others believe it's created by tiny batteries made from particles in the air. Researchers are making headways to find answers to the questions that still need to be answered.
Where all has it been found?
Ball lightning is a rare and mysterious phenomenon that few people have ever experienced. However, there are three famous sightings that people have talked about. One of them is in our own country, India! Yes, hundreds of worshippers saw a ball of lightning enter and explode inside the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The ball of lightning was also seen in our Russia. The Tsar of Russia, Nicholas II, had an encounter with a fiery ball of lightning that flew into his room! In 2012, a team observing storms in China also witnessed ball lightning. But despite all these sightings, it's very rare to find photos or videos of ball lightning. Scientists have been trying to recreate and understand ball lightning in the lab, but they haven't yet been entirely successful.
Ball lightning in folklores
Ball lightning has appeared in the folklores of various countries. In Australia, they call it Min Min lights, and are believed to follow people around at night. In Japan, they are known as hitodama, ghostly balls of fire that are believed to be the souls of the departed. In English folklore, these balls of light are called will-o'-the-wisps, and people think they are naughty fairies who tried to lead travellers off the path. Scientists have studied these glowing balls of light and think they might have found some explanations. For example, Min Min lights might just be mirages caused by lights that were far away while will-o'-the-wisps may come from a chemical reaction in swamps.