Scientists Discover a New Form of Lightning

[n2doc]

by David DeFranza on 01.29.10
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY



The lightning observed during the eruption of Mt. Redoubt in 2009, researchers have determined, is an entirely new variety. Using radio antennas, scientists noticed that the bolts were shorter, lasting only a few milliseconds, and much more frequent than typical lightning.

Stephen McNutt, a volcano seismologist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks's Geophysical Institute, became interested in lightning during the 1992 Mt. Spurr eruption. While studying the seismic data from that event, he noticed strange spikes in the records. He explains that:

The seismometers were actually picking up lightning strikes...I knew that I had to reach out to the physicists studying lightning.

He teamed up with Ronald Thomas, a physicist and electrical engineer, and Sonja Behnke, a graduate student in atmospheric science. The group formulated a research plan and started waiting for the next eruption.

more:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/01/scientists-discover-a-new-form-of-lightning.php

[itsrobert]

1. This lightning is not new

It has existed on earth since the beginning.

[Warpy]

2. The precise description of it is new

along with its physical effects.

Volcanic lightning is truly spectacular. Now they know how and why and what it does.

[Igel]

5. Not especially relevant, don't you think?

"To be the first, or the first of one's group or kind, to find, learn of, or observe" seems to be the operative definition.

It's also the one that allows us to say things like "Columbus discovered America" (since the group Columbus was in didn't know it existed), or "Newton discovered gravity" (even though it's been in place for a very long time).

Or even, "Hey, I discovered a new Indian restaurant last week"--as though the owners and several thousand other people who ate there had never heard of it.

That's the definition that's often employed by my community of speakers, and the writer of the OP seems to share that definition. Jestli neses z nasi schodiny, to neni muj problem. Vole.

[hisownpetard]

3. I thought this OP was gonna be about Obama at the Baltimore Smackdown!

Could've been, too.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

4. I love these photoshopped dandys.... n/t

On edit to say I'm kidding prior to the inevitable skewering that would have followed this... which would have been justified to say the least.