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Credit: NASA
Explanation:
There are many things about
lightning
that are not understood. Lightning has been seen in the atmospheres of
Venus,
Earth,
Jupiter, and
Saturn. A leading theory is that collisions of
particles in clouds cause large areas of positive and negative charge.
When large oppositely charged areas get close enough together, electrons
and/or ions race between them and create a path where more charged
particles can follow - lightning. On average, over 100 lightning strikes
occur every second over the surface of the
Earth. Here lightning strikes
near a Space Shuttle before
launch. Lightning can be
extremely dangerous -
stay out of open areas during thunderstorms.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: lightning - space shuttle
Publications with words: lightning - space shuttle
See also: