Scimyst
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Discoveries
    • All
    • 1001 Mysteries
    • Aliens & UFOs
    • Animal World
    • Archaeology
    • Biology
    • Doomsday
    • Famous Landmarks
    • History
    • Mars Exploration
    • Military Science
    • Oceanography
    • Science Q&A
    • Scientific Discoveries
    • Space Science
    • Why
    • World Figures
    • World Wonders
    thanh pho trang 650

    The Lost City of 500 Years Containing Flesh-Eating Parasites

    creating the worlds first plasma lamp not using a wire just throw it away 133669

    Creating the world’s most durable plasma lamp that doesn’t “take a break” after a few days of use

    which country suffers the most natural disasters in the world every year 136695

    Which country suffers the most natural disasters in the world, “experiencing” the most super typhoons each year?

    strange spc exoplanet

    10 Most Strange Things of the Universe

    thuan tay trai 650

    Left-Handed People and 16 “Shocking” Facts

    cham do ben khoe mieng 650

    The Secret of the Two Red Dots at the Corner of the Mouth of the Tang Dynasty Concubine

    tinh van con cua 650

    Revealing Unseen Images of the Crab Nebula through the James Webb Space Telescope

    cau hon o phap 650

    Banning Bathing, Forcing Tears, and Strange Wedding Customs Around the World

    isaac Newton1

    10 Famous Inventions of Isaac Newton

    Trending Tags

    • Events
      • All
      • Science Stories
      • Scientific Projects

      Tonight announces the Ig Nobel Prize winners

      frog

      Frog Wins Ig Nobel Prize 2005

      canhcutIg

      Life is Not Lacking in Quirks

      Nobel Prize in Medicine 2005: A Modern Fairy Tale

      10 Weird Inventions Awarded the Ig Nobel Prize 2005

      nobelKT

      Why Did They Win the Nobel Prize in Economics?

      giaydientu

      “Electronic Paper” Set to Appear on the Market

      Development of Science and Technology in the South Central Coast and Central Highlands Provinces

      a russian scientist loves vietnam 1659

      A Russian Scientist Who Loves Vietnam

    • Lifestyle
      • All
      • Environment
      • Medicine & Health
      tdnong

      Global warming may be the cause of major storms

      traxanh1

      Green tea has effects against dementia

      Discovery of Cancer-Preventing Genes in the Human Body

      Khachdulich Indonesia

      Avian influenza harms tourism more than terrorism

      nao

      Lying – A Disease of People with Brain Defects

      cafe

      Coffee May Prevent Cancer

      tebaocum

      Recreating the ‘Death’ Flu Virus of 1918

      Indo ban

      The whole world unites to fight avian influenza

      HIV aids

      The Mystery of AIDS Epidemic

      Trending Tags

      • Technology
        • All
        • AI - Artificial Intelligence
        • Computer Science
        • New Technology
        • Scientific Inventions
        top apps explore space solar system on pc 98000

        Top Applications for Exploring the Universe and Solar System on PC

        vai dien tu 650

        Soon there will be data-transmitting clothing

        sua loi khong vao dc coc coc 650

        Why can’t Cốc Cốc download videos to the computer?

        may tinh cu 1

        17 Things You Can Do with an Old Computer

        play free games super fun on android devices 54708

        Play Extremely Fun Free Games on Android Devices

        top 10 best weather apps on android 98127

        Top 10 Best Astronomy Apps on Android

        canh tay robot 650

        Robot system helps neutralize mines

        trang trai noi o rotterdam 650

        Modern Cities Combining Gardens and Cattle Farms

        city tree 650

        “High-tech” trees can purify polluted air

      • Cultural Heritage
        ai cap 650

        The Ruins of Memphis & the Pyramid Complex from Giza to Dahshur – Egypt

        khao co 650

        Prehistoric Archaeological Sites in the Dordogne Valley and Caves in the Vézère Valley – France

        baroque churches philippines 67188

        Baroque Churches – Philippines

        mont saint michel france 67265

        Mont Saint Michel Island – France

        acropolis bracelet in athens greece 67621

        Acropolis Fortress in Athens – Greece

        language mo tan thuy hoang china 67087

        Tomb of Qin Shi Huang – China

        historical city ayutthaya 67804

        Historical City of Ayutthaya

        historical city ayutthaya 67804 2

        Historic City of Ayutthaya

        mesa verde national park 67201

        Mesa Verde National Park – United States of America

        Trending Tags

        • Entertainment
          • All
          • Photo Library
          • Videos

          Honesty

          Telephone

          Advanced Technology

          Terminal Illness

          Allergy

          Love Like Mars

          Super Definition

          Coi Sách

          Selling Candy

        No Result
        View All Result
        Scimyst
        • Home
        • Discoveries
          • All
          • 1001 Mysteries
          • Aliens & UFOs
          • Animal World
          • Archaeology
          • Biology
          • Doomsday
          • Famous Landmarks
          • History
          • Mars Exploration
          • Military Science
          • Oceanography
          • Science Q&A
          • Scientific Discoveries
          • Space Science
          • Why
          • World Figures
          • World Wonders
          thanh pho trang 650

          The Lost City of 500 Years Containing Flesh-Eating Parasites

          creating the worlds first plasma lamp not using a wire just throw it away 133669

          Creating the world’s most durable plasma lamp that doesn’t “take a break” after a few days of use

          which country suffers the most natural disasters in the world every year 136695

          Which country suffers the most natural disasters in the world, “experiencing” the most super typhoons each year?

          strange spc exoplanet

          10 Most Strange Things of the Universe

          thuan tay trai 650

          Left-Handed People and 16 “Shocking” Facts

          cham do ben khoe mieng 650

          The Secret of the Two Red Dots at the Corner of the Mouth of the Tang Dynasty Concubine

          tinh van con cua 650

          Revealing Unseen Images of the Crab Nebula through the James Webb Space Telescope

          cau hon o phap 650

          Banning Bathing, Forcing Tears, and Strange Wedding Customs Around the World

          isaac Newton1

          10 Famous Inventions of Isaac Newton

          Trending Tags

          • Events
            • All
            • Science Stories
            • Scientific Projects

            Tonight announces the Ig Nobel Prize winners

            frog

            Frog Wins Ig Nobel Prize 2005

            canhcutIg

            Life is Not Lacking in Quirks

            Nobel Prize in Medicine 2005: A Modern Fairy Tale

            10 Weird Inventions Awarded the Ig Nobel Prize 2005

            nobelKT

            Why Did They Win the Nobel Prize in Economics?

            giaydientu

            “Electronic Paper” Set to Appear on the Market

            Development of Science and Technology in the South Central Coast and Central Highlands Provinces

            a russian scientist loves vietnam 1659

            A Russian Scientist Who Loves Vietnam

          • Lifestyle
            • All
            • Environment
            • Medicine & Health
            tdnong

            Global warming may be the cause of major storms

            traxanh1

            Green tea has effects against dementia

            Discovery of Cancer-Preventing Genes in the Human Body

            Khachdulich Indonesia

            Avian influenza harms tourism more than terrorism

            nao

            Lying – A Disease of People with Brain Defects

            cafe

            Coffee May Prevent Cancer

            tebaocum

            Recreating the ‘Death’ Flu Virus of 1918

            Indo ban

            The whole world unites to fight avian influenza

            HIV aids

            The Mystery of AIDS Epidemic

            Trending Tags

            • Technology
              • All
              • AI - Artificial Intelligence
              • Computer Science
              • New Technology
              • Scientific Inventions
              top apps explore space solar system on pc 98000

              Top Applications for Exploring the Universe and Solar System on PC

              vai dien tu 650

              Soon there will be data-transmitting clothing

              sua loi khong vao dc coc coc 650

              Why can’t Cốc Cốc download videos to the computer?

              may tinh cu 1

              17 Things You Can Do with an Old Computer

              play free games super fun on android devices 54708

              Play Extremely Fun Free Games on Android Devices

              top 10 best weather apps on android 98127

              Top 10 Best Astronomy Apps on Android

              canh tay robot 650

              Robot system helps neutralize mines

              trang trai noi o rotterdam 650

              Modern Cities Combining Gardens and Cattle Farms

              city tree 650

              “High-tech” trees can purify polluted air

            • Cultural Heritage
              ai cap 650

              The Ruins of Memphis & the Pyramid Complex from Giza to Dahshur – Egypt

              khao co 650

              Prehistoric Archaeological Sites in the Dordogne Valley and Caves in the Vézère Valley – France

              baroque churches philippines 67188

              Baroque Churches – Philippines

              mont saint michel france 67265

              Mont Saint Michel Island – France

              acropolis bracelet in athens greece 67621

              Acropolis Fortress in Athens – Greece

              language mo tan thuy hoang china 67087

              Tomb of Qin Shi Huang – China

              historical city ayutthaya 67804

              Historical City of Ayutthaya

              historical city ayutthaya 67804 2

              Historic City of Ayutthaya

              mesa verde national park 67201

              Mesa Verde National Park – United States of America

              Trending Tags

              • Entertainment
                • All
                • Photo Library
                • Videos

                Honesty

                Telephone

                Advanced Technology

                Terminal Illness

                Allergy

                Love Like Mars

                Super Definition

                Coi Sách

                Selling Candy

              No Result
              View All Result
              Scimyst
              No Result
              View All Result
              Home Technology New Technology

              Creating a Lightning Sphere in the Laboratory

              by Sci
              June 9, 2006
              in New Technology
              0
              Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

              Ball lightning – mysterious, glowing fireballs that move slowly and are often seen during thunderstorms – have been created in the laboratory of the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Germany.

              Researchers from the Max Planck Institute and Humboldt University in Berlin have exploited the phenomenon of underwater discharge to generate bright plasma clouds similar to ball lightning, which last for nearly half a second and can have a diameter of up to 20 centimeters.

              sethon

              Despite their bright appearance, these fireballs seem to be quite cold and do not ignite paper. (Photo: Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics)

              They hope these artificial entities will enhance understanding of this strange phenomenon and perhaps shed new light on the use of hot plasmas for nuclear fusion power plants.

              Ball lightning has puzzled scientists for centuries. Although authentic data about them is scarce, there are many anecdotes about this mystical phenomenon, with famous witnesses including Charlemagne, Henry II, and physicist Niels Bohr.

              Most descriptions suggest that ball lightning usually moves relatively slowly in the air, at the speed of a running person, lasting a few seconds and, in rare cases, up to several minutes. Its path aligns with the direction of the wind. Sometimes, the fireball appears to come to a complete stop. When it moves, a faint hissing or crackling sound can occasionally be heard. The colors of ball lightning vary significantly: bright red, yellow, dazzling white, and dark blue have all been observed. As for size? Typically, ball lightning does not exceed 20 cm in diameter.

              Many scientists believe that ball lightning is a plasma sphere formed when lightning strikes the ground, but the actual mechanism remains a mystery despite numerous hypotheses proposed.

              Earlier this year, Israeli scientists created plasma balls using microwaves to vaporize various materials, but Gerd Fussmann and his colleagues from the Max Planck Institute employed a different technique that they believe is closer to the natural phenomenon.

              “It is possible that lightning interacts with water to create ball lightning,” Fussmann stated, “Therefore, we use a fast discharge stream with a high voltage of up to 5,000 volts to vaporize a small amount of water in a glass tank and create a plasma ball.”

              This glass tank contains two electrodes, with one electrode isolated from the surrounding water by a clay tube. The high voltage generates a massive current of up to 60 amps – 200 times greater than the current necessary to be lethal – flowing through the water for a fraction of a second. This current flows into the clay tube, causing the water there to vaporize, and a brilliant plasma ball – composed of ionized water molecules – rises from the surface.

              “This ball lasts up to 0.3 seconds after the current is switched off – much longer than typical plasma, which disintegrates very quickly,” Fussmann explained. Plasma used in laboratories and fusion power plants usually degrades within a few thousandths of a second after the power source is turned off.

              Despite glowing brightly, these balls seem quite cold, resembling the light of neon lamps. A piece of paper placed above them is lifted but does not catch fire.

              Fussmann is currently examining the spectrum emitted from the light of these fireballs and plans to investigate whether their size and lifespan are affected by the magnitude of the current.

              To accurately determine what happens when ball lightning occurs in nature, he hopes to compare the characteristics of artificial “ball lightning” with existing theories about their origin.

              T. An

              Next Post
              aol email free also affected by ads 6127

              AOL Email with Fees Also Contains Ads

              new materials catch fire like human skin 6128

              New materials sensitive like human skin

              future vision for global telecommunications 6129

              The crossroads of the future for global telecommunications

              Leave a Reply Cancel reply

              Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

              FEATURED POST

              the mystery of the mummified woman misidentified as an egyptian pharaoh 129359

              The Mystery of the Mummy of the Woman Mistaken for the Pharaoh of Egypt

              space monsters in mythology first appearance 129358

              Cosmic Monster ‘in Legend’ Appears for the First Time

              the most dangerous coastline in the world haunting the dreams of mangrove forests 108247

              The world’s most dangerous strait – The haunting toll measured in sailors’ lives

              10 amazing natural phenomena that challenge science 60818

              23 Mysterious Natural Phenomena That Challenge Science

              TRENDING

              nguoi ai cap co dai 650
              Scientific Discoveries

              What Race Are the Egyptians Ultimately? Why Are They Different from Today’s Africans?

              fireworm reborn to threaten the mediterranean coast 135835
              Oceanography

              Fireworm’s self-rebirth threatens the Mediterranean region

              thuoc sung 650
              Scientific Inventions

              20 Famous Inventions of Ancient China

              the truth about the ancient egyptian figurines discovered in australia 129695
              Archaeology

              The Truth about the Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs Discovered in Australia

              EDITOR PICK'S

              What Race Are the Egyptians Ultimately? Why Are They Different from Today’s Africans?

              No Tunnels, No Supports: China Stuns the World with a Bridge that Floats like Silk on the River

              If it’s so hot, why don’t people in Europe install air conditioning?

              Why is the Earth’s core still hot after billions of years?

              Exploring Xiaozhai Tiankeng – the deepest sinkhole in the world!

              20 Famous Inventions of Ancient China

              How Did Humanity Begin Measuring Time?

              Newsletter

              THE MOST IMPORTANT WORLD NEWS AND EVENTS OF THE DAY

              Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

              Category

              • 1001 Mysteries
              • AI – Artificial Intelligence
              • Aliens & UFOs
              • Animal World
              • Antibiotic Resistance
              • Archaeology
              • Bacteria & Insects
              • Biology
              • Biotechnology
              • Climate & Weather

              Site Link

              • Log in
              • Entries feed
              • Comments feed
              • WordPress.org

              About Us

              At Scimyst, we uncover the wonders of science, history, and culture. From ancient mysteries to modern innovations, our stories inspire curiosity and connect you to the fascinating world around us. Explore the unknown with us!

              • About
              • Advertise
              • Privacy & Policy
              • Contact

              © 2025 Scimyst - Your gateway to the wonders of science and culture

              No Result
              View All Result
              • Home
              • Discoveries
                • 1001 Mysteries
                • Aliens & UFOs
                • Animal World
                • Archaeology
                • Biology
                  • Bacteria & Insects
                  • Biotechnology
                  • Plants
                • Doomsday
                • Famous Landmarks
                • History
                  • This Day in History
                • Military Science
                • Mars Exploration
                • Oceanography
                • Science Q&A
                • Science Quiz
                • Scientific Discoveries
                • Space Science
                • Why
                • World Figures
                • World Wonders
                  • Cultural Heritage
                  • Vietnamese Heritage
              • Technology
                • AI – Artificial Intelligence
                • Computer Science
                • New Technology
                  • Self-Driving Cars
                • Scientific Inventions
              • Lifestyle
                • Cancer
                • Environment
                  • Climate & Weather
                  • Disasters
                  • Latest Storm Updates
                  • Nature
                  • Solutions
                • Medicine & Health
                  • Antibiotic Resistance
                  • Common Illnesses
                  • Dengue Fever
                  • Family Medicine Cabinet
                  • Food Safety
                  • Health
                  • Influenza Outbreak
                • Scientific Applications
              • Events
                • Science Events
                • Science Stories
                • Scientific Projects
              • Entertainment
                • Photo Library
                • Videos

              © 2025 Scimyst - Your gateway to the wonders of science and culture