Ball lightning: The phenomenon simply explained

For a long time, ball lightning could not be explained and there are several mysteries and legends surrounding the phenomenon. In our article, we explain to you what this natural phenomenon is all about.

Silicon, iron and calcium ball lightning

In 2012, the secret of ball lightning was revealed. During a thunderstorm, Chinese researchers succeeded for the first time in photographing, measuring and analysing ball lightning.

• A prerequisite for ball lightning to occur is a thunderstorm and a lightning strike to the ground.

• This releases tiny particles, also called nanoparticles, of silicon, iron and calcium. These combine in the air to form a fine spherical web.

• The particles of this nanospin react with the oxygen present in the air. This process, called oxidation, releases heat and light.

• As a result, the spherical web begins to glow and floats through the area at a speed of several metres per second. The light colour can range from purple to orange to white and red.

• Bullet flashes can vary in size. Ball lightning has been observed in sizes of table tennis balls but also footballs. The ball lightning filmed in 2012 reached more than a metre.

• After a few seconds, the spectacle is over again as quickly as it began.

Legends and facts about the ball lightning

There is no doubt that ball lightning is a fascinating phenomenon when you get to see it. For centuries, mankind has puzzled over this phenomenon. There are also numerous eyewitness accounts, some tragic, some amusing.

• For a long time, people were in the dark about the origin of ball lightning. Researchers developed theories, some of them abstruse. Some assumed that it was cosmic radiation that bundles into spheres.
• Other theories explain the ball lightning with small black holes or meteorites made of antimatter. We will explain what this is in an extra article. For the explanation of the phenomenon, it is significant that when particles of antimatter meet particles of matter, they annihilate each other with bright radiation.
• There is also talk of sensory illusions, even hallucinations. They are said to be caused by the flashing of the eyes during a particularly violent flash and to trigger the sensation of seeing a ball lightning.

• Scientists tried to create ball lightning artificially. For example, in 2008, German plasma physicists put water in a vessel with a voltage of 5 kV, whereupon a ball lightning-like something formed for half a second. This gave rise to the hypothesis that ball lightning occurs after lightning strikes puddles of water.

• All experiments had in common that it was never proven whether the experimental results were exactly what eyewitnesses observed. And there are many different perceptions of this.

• For example, one boy reported that his grandmother was chased through the barn by ball lightning. She could only save herself with a daring jump.

• There is a report from 1973 that during the holding pattern over Frankfurt Airport during a thunderstorm, a 10-15 zenith metre flare bounced through the aircraft.

• In Russia in 2016, a seven-year-old boy and his dog had died when they touched a ball lightning. The ball lightning reportedly rolled into the hut and the dog snapped at it.
• Actual observations were reported from Saxony-Anhalt at the beginning of August. There, during a heavy thunderstorm, a ball lightning appeared in the garden of a couple and moved towards the front of the house. After a few seconds, the specimen dissolved into nothing with a deafening bang. It left no trace, only the TV picture had been disturbed.