Lightning is essentially a giant spark of static electricity, though much about how and why it forms remains unknown and the subject of scientific research. It is known that lightning occurs in thunderstorms when there is a separation of electrical charge within the storm clouds, which can cause cloud-to-cloud lightning, the majority of lightning that occurs in a storm. A charge separation can also form between thunderstorm clouds and the ground, leading to classic cloud-to-ground lightning. Thunder is the acoustic shock wave that results from the heat that a lightning strike produces. NASA research suggests that lightning flashes 40 times a second around the globe. Read about the latest lightning research and see amazing lightning photos below.
Latest about lightning
Eerie ring of red light flashes like a massive UFO above Italy. What was it?
An enormous red halo of light flashed in the night sky above Italy before disappearing within milliseconds. It was likely caused by an electromagnetic pulse from a nearby thunderstorm.
Powerful laser blast used to control lightning for the first time
This is the first ever real-world demonstration of the effect
Why does lightning zigzag?
The characteristic zigzag pattern of lightning is caused by a highly conductive form of oxygen that builds up as the bolt travels toward the ground.
Rare, 'rule-breaking' quasicrystal found in chunk of 'fossilized' lightning
A type of crystal that breaks the rules of ordinary crystallography has been found in a tube of melted sand from Nebraska.
Plant leaves spark with electricity during thunderstorms — and that could be altering our air quality in unpredictable ways
During thunderstorms, leaves from trees and other plants create mini electric discharges that can significantly alter the surrounding air quality. But researchers are unsure if this is beneficial or harmful.
Bizarre blue blobs hover in Earth's atmosphere in stunning astronaut photo. But what are they?
An astronaut onboard the ISS recently captured a peculiar image of Earth with two unrelated blue blobs of light shining in the planet's atmosphere.
Lightning strikes Artemis I mission's 'Mega Moon rocket' launch pad during tests
The Artemis I mission's Mega Moon rocket was undergoing "wet" tests Saturday (April 2).
'Gigantic jet' that shot into space may be the most powerful lightning bolt ever detected
Scientists detected the most powerful gigantic jet lightning bolt — a lightning bolt that shoots up out of a cloud into the ionosphere — ever.
