Lightning
Latest about lightning

Rare, 'rule-breaking' quasicrystal found in chunk of 'fossilized' lightning
By Stephanie Pappas published
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
By Harry Baker published
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?
By Harry Baker published
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
By Jeanna Bryner last updated
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
By Brandon Specktor published
Scientists detected the most powerful gigantic jet lightning bolt — a lightning bolt that shoots up out of a cloud into the ionosphere — ever.

Video Reveals 'Sprite' Lightning Secrets
By Dave Mosher last updated
Ultra-fast, ultra-bright sprites caught forming in the act.

Ultra-fast electron rain is pouring out of Earth's magnetosphere, and scientists think they know why
By Brandon Specktor published
Scientists discovered the mechanism that causes electrons to 'downpour' into Earth's atmosphere.
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