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Lightning. Rob Sparks Pinon PRISE Workshop Januar 26th, 2008. Lightning. Lightning on Kitt Peak. Lightning can be dangerous. Lightning and Static Electricity. Buildup of Charge. Still not completely understood Updrafts carry positive charges to top
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Lightning Rob Sparks Pinon PRISE Workshop Januar 26th, 2008
Lightning Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008
Lightning on Kitt Peak Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008
Lightning can be dangerous Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008
Lightning and Static Electricity Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008
Buildup of Charge • Still not completely understood • Updrafts carry positive charges to top • Bottom of cloud becomes negatively charged Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008
Buildup of Charge • Negatively charged cloud induces charge in the ground • Charge builds up until… Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008
Step Ladders • Air becomes ionized due to large electric field • Air ionizes easier in some directions than others • Pattern called step ladder forms Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008
The Strike • Positive “streamers” sent out from the Earth • A streamer meets a step ladder and • Boom! • Usually have multiple strikes Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008
Apollo 12 • Apollo 12 was struck by lightning on liftoff • Rocket launches can stimulate lightning! • Great tool for research Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008
Lightning on Jupiter! Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008
By the Numbers… • Up to 100,000 Amps • Power of 100 terawatts • Heats air to 18,000 degrees F • Average bolt is 1.6 miles long, longest recorded is 190 miles long Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008
Lightning in the United States Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008
A few cool videos! • http://www.ultimatechase.com/Lightning_Video.htm • http://www.metacafe.com/tags/lightning/ Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008