The F-35 Lightning II is a next-generation multi-role military fighter designed to replace the F-16. It was created through the Joint Strike Fighter program, with contributions from several countries. Its cost is estimated at over $40 billion, and it has a range of 1,400 miles and a top speed of Mach 1.8. It is capable […]
Venezuela has the highest annual lightning strikes with around 1.2 million strikes per year, occurring over Lake Maracaibo for thousands of years. The phenomenon lasts for 10 hours with 3,600 strikes every hour, and is linked to the area’s landscape. Lightning can strike up to 10 miles away and can hit the same object multiple […]
A lightning arrester protects electrical systems from damage caused by electricity surges, such as those from lightning or electrical switching. It routes excess electricity away from the system and into the ground. Proper installation and maintenance are important for safety. Lightning rods and arresters are different and can be used together for protection. A lightning […]
Lightning protection systems provide a low-resistance path for lightning to travel from the top of a structure to the ground, preventing damage and injury. Components include lightning arresters, down conductors, and buried electrodes. Surge protectors can also protect electrical systems. Wooden structures and porous building materials are at risk without protection. Lightning protection systems are […]
Ball lightning is a rare and poorly understood atmospheric phenomenon that appears as a glowing ball of varying sizes. Reports of it date back to ancient Greece, but there is no scientifically confirmed video. The prevailing theory is the atmospheric maser theory, but it has not been replicated in a laboratory. Ball lightning is an […]
Commercial aircraft are struck by lightning about once a year, but it rarely causes damage or disruptions to the flight. The outer skin of the plane conducts electricity back into the air, preventing it from reaching the interior. NASA has conducted research to improve aviation’s lightning safety. On average, each commercial aircraft is struck by […]
Lightning can strike the same place multiple times, with the Empire State Building being hit over 20 times a year. The odds of being struck by lightning are higher than most people think, and it is one of the deadliest climate-related killers in the US. Lightning can strike in more than one place and can […]
Count the seconds between lightning and thunder, divide by five for miles or three for kilometers. Take cover if the interval is 30 seconds or less. If you see lightning in the distance and then hear the rumble of thunder, you can tell how far away the storm is. Just count the number of seconds […]
In 2007, a lightning bolt in Oklahoma stretched nearly 200 miles, measured using new remote sensing techniques by the World Meteorological Organization. Lightning can reach far distances and people need protection. The US experiences 25 million lightning strikes annually, causing deaths and injuries. Lightning is hotter than the sun and can strike the same place […]
Although lightning has a lot of energy and is renewable, it is unpredictable and requires huge batteries and capacitors. The infrastructure required to support energy harvesting is also costly and outweighs the benefits. It is better to focus on accessible sources of alternative energy like sunlight, wind, and water. It is theoretically possible to store […]
