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Is Ball Lightning Real? The Science Behind Nature’s Strangest Light Show

Ball lightning, a rare glowing orb seen during thunderstorms, has intrigued scientists for centuries. Learn what causes it, how dangerous it is, and if science can explain it.

ByJake Parks
Credit: Successful girl/Shutterstock

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Ball lightning has fascinated and puzzled people for centuries. This rare and mysterious phenomenon, often described as a glowing sphere of light that appears during thunderstorms, has been the subject of countless anecdotes, scientific investigations, and debates. But is ball lightning even real? And if so, what causes it?

Here, we’ll briefly dive into the basics of ball lightning, exploring what it reportedly looks like, how rare it is, what might cause it, and whether it poses any danger.

(Credit: Successful girl/Shutterstock)

Successful girl/Shutterstock

Ball lightning is described as a luminous, spherical object that varies in size, typically ranging from a few centimeters to several meters in diameter. Witnesses often report seeing these glowing orbs during or after thunderstorms, sometimes floating through the air or moving unpredictably. Unlike ordinary lightning, which lasts for mere milliseconds, ball lightning can persist for several seconds, making it even more mysterious and intriguing.

The ...

  • Jake Parks

    Jake Parks is a freelance science writer and editor for Discover Magazine, who covers everything from the mysteries of the cosmos to the latest in medical research.

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