< Back to Volume 18, Number 3
Volume 18: Number 3: Article 4
Ball Lightning and Atmospheric Light Phenomena: A Common Origin?
Tore Wessel-Berg, Institute of Physical Electronics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7034 Trondheim, Norway
The paper proposes a common origin of atmospheric light
phenomena, including ball lightning and higher atmospheric lightnings such
as UFOs and light emissions of various shapes. The emission of light from
seemingly localized objects is described as the end stage of an electromagnetic
process involving conversion of electric energy from the original distributed
form between clouds to a concentrated form in a free space spherical circuit.
The paper describes the localized fields as a standing wave of radial Direct
Current (DC) pulses in a floating electrodeless ‘‘free space circuit’’
characterized by a strong field region at the center giving rise to ionization
of gas molecules and light emissions. The presentation describes a sequence of
events initiated by some atmospheric discharge such as a lightning bolt,
followed by a parametric conversion process of the prestrike electric energy
stored in the charged clouds, via magnetic energy during the strike, to poststrike
electric energy stored in the spherical system. Because the electromagnetic field
solutions specifying the particular spherical system have the form of
transmission line equations, describing the fields as superpositions of traveling
spherical waves, much of the theory is formulated on concepts drawn from
regular transmission lines. The theory predicts formation of ball lightning
objects near ground or higher altitude lightning objects of various shapes,
emphasizing their common origin. The paper explains the motion of the
localized ionized objects as due to interaction with the environmental electric
fields of charged cloud systems, with no apparent limits on speed and
acceleration including abrupt directional changes. The paper discusses the
predicted characteristics of the lightning phenomena, in particular describing
expected motions under specific circumstances, and showing these to be
compatible with the bulk of observations, with no obvious contradictions.
Keywords: ball lightning, atmospheric light phenomena, transmission line, ionization
FULL TEXT:
Ball Lightning and Atmospheric Light Phenomena: A Common Origin?
To purchase back issues contact Allen Marketing & Management: 1-800-627-0629
