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What is the name given to the silent electrical discharge between the atmosphere and, for example, trees................

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What is the name given to the silent electrical discharge between the atmosphere and, for example, trees, ships' masts, steeples and flagpoles?

posted Sep 4, 2019 by Mishthy Mukherjee

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If you were to look outside your home during a thu­nderstorm and see a tall streetlamp glowing with­ blue flames, you might be tempted to call the fire department. Then you might notice that the streetlamp is on fire but isn't actually burning -- and the water from the fire hose isn't putting out the flames. At this point, you might be about ready to call a priest, but that, like the call to the fire department, would be unnecessary. The phenomenon you're witnessing is actually St. Elmo's Fire. (Which has nothing to do with a 1980s coming-of-age film starring a young Emilio Estevez.)

St. Elmo's Fire is a weather phenomenon involving a gap in electrical charge. It's like lightning, but not quite. And while it has been mistaken for ball lightning, it's not that, either -- and it's definitely not fire.

answer Sep 11, 2019 by Naveen Kumar
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