Ball-lightning in the laboratory

[Orstio]

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Scientists in the joint study group of Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP) and Berlin’s Humboldt University (HUB) have generated ball-lightning in the laboratory - or, to be more precise, ball-lightning-like plasma clouds. The physicists produce luminous plasma balls above a water surface which have lifetimes of almost half a second and diameters of 10 to 20 centimetres.

[TD bgColor=#336699][FONT color=#ffffff][STRONG][EM]A ball-lightning-like plasma cloud is produced in an underwater discharge. (Photo: D. Lange, IPP)[/EM][/STRONG][/FONT]

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[P]Ball-lightning is described as a luminous phenomenon occurring during thunderstorms. It is a mystery, however, that they should be visible not as a brief flash, i.e. just for mi. . .

[remcook]

cool!

[Rxke]

IMHO, too bad the scientists in the picture aren't wearing labcoats, bug-eyed with excitement....

I'm serious: it would send a message that yes, science can be exiting to young people.

Now you see two common guys just standing there, not even looking on in awe... 

[remcook]

I saw an article last week sais that the gee-wiz physics demos have an opposite effect: it shows that physics is completely incomprehensible. Maybe this photo is trying to show that you -yes YOU- too can make lightning in your basement! Unless you have anything flammable in your house, in which case it as a bad idea. Bad idea!

[chronostrg]

Interesting, I wonder how many people have seen this and their retnas have 'burnt' the image in for a couple seconds even though it may have already passed, giving them the impression that it lasted for a few seconds. Is the same lighting that has been reported to 'roll' along the bottom of clouds.