What causes lightning?

Thunder and lightning. When it comes to the forces of nature, few other things have inspired as much fear, reverence, or fascination – not to mention legends, mythos, and religious representations. As with all things in ...

NASA sees Mauritius covered by Tropical Storm Calvinia

Tropical Cyclone Calvinia formed on Dec. 29 and by the next day, its clouds from a band of thunderstorms on its western side had blanketed the island of Mauritius in the Southern Indian Ocean.

Storm researcher calls for new air safety guidelines

Aircraft turbulence guidelines should be completely rewritten after new research by Centre of Excellence chief investigator Dr. Todd Lane revealed thunderstorms could produce unexpected turbulence more than 100km away from ...

Once upon a time in a thunderstorm

Thunderstorms in Earth's upper atmosphere remain something of a mystery. Scientists cannot reach them directly with instruments; they are too high for balloons and too low for weather satellites. Flying through thunderstorms ...

A sprightly explanation for UFO sightings?

In legend, sprites are trolls, elves and other spirits that dance high above our ozone layer. But scientists at Tel Aviv University have discovered that some very real "sprites" are zipping across the atmosphere as well, ...

NASA examines System 99L over Hispaniola in infrared light

When NASA's Aqua satellite passed over the tropical low pressure area known as System 99L it was located over Hispaniola. The AIRS instrument aboard Aqua analyzed the low pressure area in infrared light.

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