Ball lightning is an optical phenomenon, whose physical nature is uncertain, characterized by luminence, a lifetime of several seconds, a compact shape, and a size roughly similar to that of a basketball. It is often associated with thunderstorms. There have been some reports of production of a similar phenomenon in the laboratory, but some still disagree on whether it is a real phenomenon.
Ball lightning discharges were once thought to be extremely rare occurrences, "At one time BL was thought to be extremely rare, but this was because most BL eyewitnesses feared ridicule and wouldn't come forward. In reality, five percent of the population has seen BL close up." * but recent research shows that a few percent of the US population have been witnesses. Surveys have been taken of eyewitness accounts by at least 3000 people.
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130 Ball Lightning Links - Ball Lightning links.
Meta Description: [ Ball Lightning ]
Archive of Ball Lightning reports - A large collection of stories submitted by BL eyewitnesses. Add your own report.
Atmospheric Electricity HomePage - A meta-refence general page about Atmospheric Electricity, with a bibliography and links.
Ball Lightning - A summary page about the phenomenon.
Ball Lightning bibliography - A not-commented partial bibliography about the subject.
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Ball Lightning Discussion - An April 22, 1995 Usenet article discussing common characteristics of ball lightning reports and proposed theories.
Ball Lightning Discussion - Chukanov Energy, Inc. - Lots of information and speculation.
Does Ball Lightning Really Exist? - Reviews the evidence and witness accounts of ball lightning.
Meta Description: [ The Straight Dope: Does ball lightning really exist? ]
Far News: Ball Lightning Experiments Produce UFOs - Two researchers in a lab in New Zealand say their experiment may explain enigmatic weather phenomena such as ball lightning.
New Lead for Fireball Riddle - A BBC news article on New Zealand scientists who believe that ball lightning is little more than burning soil fragments that have been kicked up into the air.
Meta Description: [ New Zealand scientists think ball lightning is little more than burning soil fragments that have been kicked up into the air. ]
Physics : Great Balls of What? - An article from Nature.com.
Meta Description: [ Nature - the world's best science and medicine on your desktop ]
Scientific American: Ask the Experts: Ball Lightning - According to a statistical investigation, approximately 5% of the world population have witnessed ball lightning. Various physical theories are presented here.
Meta Description: [ Why do we dream? This and other science questions answered at Sciam.com. ]
The Truth About Ball Lightning - Read fabulously absurd truths and untruths about ball lightning.
Meta Description: [
Ball Lightning does more than melt peoples' faces off
]
The Virtual Times: Unusual Experiences with Lightning - Unusual experiences with lightning and ball lightning as related by eye witnesses.
Theory of Ball Lightning - Storm News article: A Theory of Ball Lightning as an Electric Discharge by Dr. John J. Lowke.
Meta Description: [ A Theory of Ball Lightning as an Electric Discharge ]
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Tornadoes and Ball Lightning - A Edward Lewis paper, with the discussion of ball lightning as plasmoids.
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