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Date Posted: 13:19:51 11/15/00 Wed
Author: Fred
Subject: Orbs ... Ball lightning?

Ball Lightning Characteristics

Occurrence
Most observations of ball lightning are made during thunderstorm activity. Most, but not all, of thunderstorm-related ball
lightning appear almost simultaneously with a cloud-to-ground lightning discharge. These ball lightnings appear within a
few meters of the ground. Sometimes ball lightnings are reported to occur near the ground in the absence of a lightning
discharge. Ball lightnings have also been observed to hang in mid-air far above the ground and have been observed
falling from a cloud towards the ground.
Appearance
Ball lightnings are generally spherical, although other shapes have been reported they are usually 0.1-0.2m in diameter,
with reported diameters ranging from 0.01-1.00m. Ball lightnings come in various colors, the most common colors being
red, orange, and yellow. Ball lightning are generally not exceptionally bright, but can be seen clearly in daylight. They are
usually reported to maintain a relatively constant brightness and size during their lifetimes, although ball lightnings which
change in brightness and size are not uncommon.
Lifetime
Ball lightnings generally have a lifetime of less than 5 seconds. A small fraction of reports indicate a lifetime of over a
minute.
Motion
Ball lightning usually move horizontally at a velocity of a few meters per second. They may also remain motionless in
mid-air or may descend from a cloud towards the ground. They do not often rise, as would be the case if they were
spheres of hot air at atmospheric pressure in the presence of only a gravitational force. Many reports describe ball
lightning which appear to spin or rotate as they move. Ball lightnings are sometimes reported to bounce off solid objects,
typically the ground.
Heat, sound and odor
Rarely do observers of ball lightning report the sensation of heat. However, accounts of ball lightning which burned barns
and melted wires do exist. One report found in McNally (1966) described a ball lightning which hit a pond of water with
a sound "as if putting a red hot piece of iron into the water." Sometimes ball lightnings are reported to emit a hissing
sound. Many observers report a distinctive odor accompanying ball lightning. The odor is usually described as sharp and
repugnant, resembling ozone, burning sulphur, or nitric oxide.
Attraction to objects and enclosures
Ball lightnings are often reported to be attracted to metallic objects such as wire fences or telephone lines. When
attached to metallic objects, they generally move along those objects. Some or all these observations may refer to a type
of St. Elmo's fire. Ball lightnings often enter houses through screens or chimneys. Sometimes they are reported to enter
houses through glass window panes. They are also reported to originate within buildings, on occasion from telephones.
Ball lightnings can exist in an all-metal enclosure such as the interior of an airplane (Uman, 1968).
Demise
Ball lightnings decay in one of two modes, either silently or explosively. The explosive decay takes place rapidly and is
accompanied by a loud noise. The silent decay can take place either rapidly or slowly. After the ball has decayed, it is
sometimes reported that a mist or residue remains. Occasionally a ball lightning has been observed to break up into two
or more smaller ball lightnings.
Types
There may be more than one type of ball lightning. For example, the ball lightning that attaches to conductors may be
different from the free-floating ball lightning; and the ball lightning that appears near ground may be different from the ball
lightning that hangs high in the air or the ball lightning that falls out of a cloud.

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Replies:

[> Re: Orbs ... Ball lightning? -- K, 13:20:57 11/15/00 Wed

What if there is no storm, weather is clear?


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