Where can I find information about ball lightning?

Editor/Photographer

Since there have been no scientific observations of ball lightning, little definite information exists except for theories based on eyewitness accounts. You can see a photo of what could be ball lightning at the National Geographic lightning web site. A few drawings based on eywitness descriptions have also been made.

Since an arc from a short-circuiting power line exhibits many of the characteristics attributed to ball lightning and since a direct lightning strike can cause such a short circuit, many ball lightning reports may actually be nothing more than faults (short circuits) on energized power lines.

Storm chaser and photographer Dan Robinson

About the Author: Dan Robinson has been a storm chaser, photographer and cameraman for 30 years. His career has involved traveling around the country covering the most extreme weather on the planet including tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning, floods and winter storms. Dan has been extensively published in newspapers, magazines, web articles and more, and has both supplied footage for and appeared in numerous television productions and newscasts. He has also been involved in the research community, providing material for published scientific journal papers on tornadoes and lightning. Dan also holds an active Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA (Part 107) for commercial drone operation.

See Also:

		Ball Lightning Myths Overview of the many phenomena mistaken for ball lightning.

		Flashovers and Strikes to Power Lines A commonly seen, but frequently misidentified phenomenon observed when lightning strikes an energized power line.

		FAQ: What causes a blue-green flash during a storm?