Ball Lightning

Ball Lightning Book PDF/Epub Download

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Three-Body Trilogy, Cixin Liu's Ball Lightning is the story of what happens when the beauty of scientific inquiry runs up against the drive to harness new discoveries with no consideration of their possible consequences. When Chen’s parents are incinerated before his eyes by a blast of ball lightning, he devotes his life to cracking the secret of this mysterious natural phenomenon. His search takes him to stormy mountaintops, an experimental military weapons lab, and an old Soviet science station. The more he learns, the more he comes to realize that ball lightning is just the tip of an entirely new frontier. While Chen’s quest for answers gives purpose to his lonely life, it also pits him against soldiers and scientists with motives of their own: a beautiful army major with an obsession with dangerous weaponry, and a physicist who has no place for ethical considerations in his single-minded pursuit of knowledge. "Wildly imaginative."—Barack Obama on The Three-Body Problem trilogy Tor books by Cixin Liu The Remembrance of Earth's Past #1 The Three-Body Problem #2 The Dark Forest #3 Death's End At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Ball Lightning Book PDF/Epub Download

Ball lightning is an enigma. These luminous objects that appear occasionally during thunderstorms and can reach several meters in diameter have been a mystery to science for about 200 years. Despite several thousands of reported observations, their nature is still unknown. In this book, well documented cases of ball lightning are described and used to unravel some aspects of this mysterious form of atmospheric electricity. Throughout the book, the author discusses the various facets of the problem in an accessible but rigorous style, delivering a readable and informative text that will captivate the curious reader. He finally reaches the surprising conclusion that the solution to this puzzle may have been hidden in plain sight for many years. A foreword by Earle Williams, leading lightning researcher at MIT, introduces the book.

Ball Lightning Book PDF/Epub Download

Down comes a deluge of sonorous hail, Or prone-descending rain. Wide-rent, the clouds Pour a whole flood, and yet, its flame unquenched, Th’unconquerable lightning struggles through. Ragged and fierce, or in red whirling balls, And fires the mountains with redoubled rage. Black from the stroke, above, the smould’ring pine Stands a sad shattered trunk; and, stretched below, A lifeless group the blasted cattle lie. James Thompson, “The Seasons” (1727) have been investigating ball lightning for more than two decades. I published a ball lightning report in Nature in 1976 that received worldwide publicity and I consequently many people wrote to me with accounts of their own experiences. Within a very short time, I had accumulated about 200 firsthand accounts, and the file has continued to grow steadily since then. Several things impressed me. Few of those who wrote to me had any detailed foreknowledge of ball lightning at the time of their observation. Nonetheless, once reports of other phenomena such as St. Elmo’s fire had been eliminated, the remaining descriptions were remarkably consistent. Furthermore, nearly all who contacted me were keen to have an explanation of what they had seen and seemed entirely sincere.

Natural and Artificial Ball Lightning in the Earth s Atmosphere Book PDF/Epub Download

The monograph is devoted to ball lightning (BL) observed in natural conditions in the air and artificial BL, long-lived luminous formations (LLF), usually obtained in laboratories experimentally. Joint consideration of artificial and natural BL emphasizes the need for a comprehensive analysis of such complex objects. It is the description of the study of the properties of artificial BL and LLF in the end of 20th and 21st centuries that allows the reader to better understand what and how can be experimentally simulated.

Ball Lightning Book PDF/Epub Download

In BALL LIGHTNING: Paradox of Physics, Paul Sagan lists 230 unpublished cases from Oak Ridge National Laboratories. By their mysterious propulsion, navigation, confinement and flight against winds, fireballs "defy" gravity. His novel Sagan-Hill Hypothesis explains fireball propulsion (inertialess negative gravity) and also the Flatwoods event of September 12, 1952. A witness, Sagan publishes his interviews with other witnesses and speculates that machine intelligences hide inside comet belts. Sagan explores atmospheric physics, lightning, network analysis, quantum physics, the EPR Paradox, Wolfram computation, MONDs, WIMPs, Multiverse Theory, chaoplexity, M-Theory and more. Sagan illuminates the profound changes necessary for post-modern physics to accommodate something that is foreign to our current physics. Written for the intelligent reader, this book's remarkable clarity and minimum of mathematical notation make it accessible to both the scientist and casual reader.

Ball Lightning and Bead Lightning Book PDF/Epub Download

The purpose of this monograph is to review the known physical aspects of two unusual forms of atmospheric luminous phenomena, to deduce their characteristics and properties, and to promote efforts to improve their understanding. These two forms, called ball lightning and bead lightning, have visual images that differ from the linear image associated with normallightning. The terms "balliightning" and "bead lightning" are used to denote atmospheric luminous forms which are occasionally observed and have the geometrie shape suggested by their name. Vet, it is possible that neither phenomenon may in fact be a form of lightning in the sense of a continuous electrical discharge. Bead lightning has been described as the residue of a cloud-to cloud or cloud-to-ground lightning stroke and has the appearance of aseries of luminous balls separated by dark regions, thus resembling astring of pearls, and remains visible for about one second. Ball lightning has been described as a single luminous globe appearing ne ar the ground after a lightning stroke and also remaining visible for about one second. Both phenomena remain visible far longer than normal lightning flashes.

The Nature of Ball Lightning Book PDF/Epub Download

In 1837 a comprehensive discussion of lightning appeared in the Annual of the French Bureau des Longitudes with a section on ball lightning which provided for the first time a readily available source in the scientific literature of the basic properties of this curious natural phenomenon. The author, Francois Arago, was the dominant influence in the French Academy of Sciences in the nineteenth century, having become a member of that august body at the age of twenty-three. His attention alone doubtless served at that time to establish the validity of scientific interest in the problem. In addition his discussion covered some of the major questions associated with ball lightning in a nota bly clear-sighted, effective style. Later reconsideration of the same questions often provided no significant improvement over Arago's discussion. There followed a dauntless band of varying but always small number who attempted to account for an apparently simple natural occurrence, a ball of fire usually seen in thunderstorms, with the best knowledge that advancing science could provide. All attempts to deal with this phenomenon were in variably frustrated. The characteristics of ball lightning could be readily cataloged, but they firmly resisted both experimental reproduction and theo retical explanation. One may say that to this day there is no explanation accepted by a large number of scientists. Several investigators of great ability and considerable accomplishment in different fields of science, including Faraday, Kelvin, and Arrhenius, took note of the problem.

Science of Ball Lightning Book PDF/Epub Download

This is the first proceedings held on scientific research on the ball lightning (fire ball). Eyewitness accounts of bars lightnings were presented and analysed by experts from USA, Germany, USSR, Hungary and Japan. The theoretical model on the ball lightning, and experimental research from various instruments were discussed. Contents:Ball Lightning — The Continuing Challenge (J D Barry & S Singer)Hungarian Ball Lightning Observations in 1987 (G Egely)Nature of Ball Lightning in Japan (Y H Ohtsuki & H Ofuruton)Phenomenological and Psychological Analysis of 150 Austrian Ball Lightning Reports (A G Keul & K Schwarzenbacher)Physical Problems and Physical Properties of Ball Lightning (G Egely)Statistical Analysis of the Ball Lightning Properties (A I Grigorjev et al)A Fluid-Dynamical Model for Ball Lightning and Bead Lightning (K E Nickel)The Lifetime of Hill's Vortex (K E Nickel)Electrical and Radiative Properties in Ball Lightning (B M Smirnov)The Candle Flame as A Model of Ball Lightning (B M Smirnov)A Model for Ball Lightning (H Yamamoto)The High-Temperature Physio-Chemical Processes in the Lightning Storm Atmosphere (G P Gladyshev)New Approach to Ball Lightning (P H Handel)A Calculation of Electric Field of Ball Lightning (T Neda et al)The Physical Explanation to the UFO over Xinjiang, Northern West China (Y Zou)Electric Reconnection, Critical Ionization Velocity, Ponderomotive Force and Their Applications to Triggered and Ball Lightning (H Kikuchi)The PLASMAKTM Configuration and Ball Lightning (P M Koloc)Experimental Research on Ball Lightning (H Ofuruton & Y H Ohtsuki)Performance of High-Voltage Test Facility Designed for Investigation of Ball Lightning (G C Dijkhuis & J Pijpelink) Readership: Applied physicists, geophysicists, chemists and electromagnetic engineers.

The Three Body Problem Book PDF/Epub Download

Soon to be a Netflix Original Series! “War of the Worlds for the 21st century.” – Wall Street Journal The Three-Body Problem is the first chance for English-speaking readers to experience the Hugo Award-winning phenomenon from China's most beloved science fiction author, Liu Cixin. Set against the backdrop of China's Cultural Revolution, a secret military project sends signals into space to establish contact with aliens. An alien civilization on the brink of destruction captures the signal and plans to invade Earth. Meanwhile, on Earth, different camps start forming, planning to either welcome the superior beings and help them take over a world seen as corrupt, or to fight against the invasion. The result is a science fiction masterpiece of enormous scope and vision. The Three-Body Problem Series The Three-Body Problem The Dark Forest Death's End Other Books Ball Lightning Supernova Era To Hold Up The Sky (forthcoming) At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Lightning Book PDF/Epub Download

Lightning: Physics and Effects is the first book that covers essentially all aspects of lightning, including lightning physics, lightning protection and the interaction of lightning with a variety of objects and systems as well as with the environment. It is written in a style that will be accessible to the technical non-expert and is addressed to anyone interested in lightning and its effects. This will include physicists, engineers working in the power, communications, computer and aviation industries, meteorologists, atmospheric chemists, foresters, ecologists, physicians working in the area of electrical trauma and architects. This comprehensive reference volume contains over 300 illustrations, 70 tables containing quantitative information and a bibliography of more than 6000 references.

Ball Lightning Explanation Book PDF/Epub Download

Ball Lightning is a natural phenomenon that is often associated with lightning. This book provides an explanation of Ball Lightning and includes the first report of an observation of Ball Lightning while it is forming. This book also describes potential clean energy technologies that will be possible based on this explanation.

Ball Lightning Book PDF/Epub Download

A very interesting theory about a quickly spinning field, which is related to Ball lightning. With ideas for you to do a practical experiment which would create ball lightning similar to the natural thing. The theory is all new, but I am very sure I believe it is right. In the experiments, a main idea is that radio waves can be Polarized a step that goes beyond plane polarization. Where the wave is polarized beyond plane polarization, it is possible to form ball lightning from it.

The Atmosphere and Ionosphere Book PDF/Epub Download

From July 7 to 12, 2008 in Zelenogradsk, a cosy resort on the bank of the Baltic Sea near Kaliningrad in Russia, the 1st International Conference “Atmosphere, Ionosphere, Safety (AIS-2008)” has been carried out. The State Russian University of I. Kant, Semenov Institute of chemical physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushkov Institute of terrestrial magnetism and radio-waves propagation of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Russian Committee on Ball Lightning (BL) have acted as organizers of the conference. Financial support was made by Russian Fund of Fundamental Research Project N. 08-03-06041 and European Of?ce of Aerospace Research and Development Grant award FA8655-08-1-5052. The International conference “Atmosphere, Ionosphere, Safety” (AIS-2008) was devoted to (i) the analysis of the atmosphere–ionosphere response on natural and man-made processes, the reasons of occurrence of the various accompanying geophysical phenomena, and an estimation of possible consequences of their in?uence on the person and technological systems; (ii) the study of the monitoring possibility and search of the ways for the risk level decrease. Discussion of the physical and chemical processes accompanying the observable geophysical p- nomena was undertaken. One can see from a list of the Conference sections that questions of safety took only rather modest place, so main topics of the Conference became discussion of processes taking place in the atmosphere, ionosphere and methods of monitoring these processes.

Gonzo Science Book PDF/Epub Download

True believers and skeptics beware: what you know about science may be wrong. Science commentators Jim and Allen Richardson are more faithful than the believers and more skeptical than the skeptics -- and they're funnier, too.

Ball Lightning Book PDF/Epub Download

Down comes a deluge of sonorous hail, Or prone-descending rain. Wide-rent, the clouds Pour a whole flood, and yet, its flame unquenched, Th’unconquerable lightning struggles through. Ragged and fierce, or in red whirling balls, And fires the mountains with redoubled rage. Black from the stroke, above, the smould’ring pine Stands a sad shattered trunk; and, stretched below, A lifeless group the blasted cattle lie. James Thompson, “The Seasons” (1727) have been investigating ball lightning for more than two decades. I published a ball lightning report in Nature in 1976 that received worldwide publicity and I consequently many people wrote to me with accounts of their own experiences. Within a very short time, I had accumulated about 200 firsthand accounts, and the file has continued to grow steadily since then. Several things impressed me. Few of those who wrote to me had any detailed foreknowledge of ball lightning at the time of their observation. Nonetheless, once reports of other phenomena such as St. Elmo’s fire had been eliminated, the remaining descriptions were remarkably consistent. Furthermore, nearly all who contacted me were keen to have an explanation of what they had seen and seemed entirely sincere.

Forces of Nature and Cultural Responses Book PDF/Epub Download

How do and how did people perceive, manage and respond to natural disasters? How are the causes of natural disasters explained in history, how are they explained today? This volume investigates relationships between forces of nature and human culture in a multidisciplinary context bridging science and the humanities. Forces of nature and cultural responses is divided into four sections: (1) ball lightnings, (2) earthquakes and tsunamis, (3) volcanic eruptions and plagues, and (4) hurricanes and floodings. Specifically, Section 1 investigates theories and case studies of ball lightning phenomena. Section 2 includes a psychological study on the impact of earthquakes on academic performance, a study on tsunami vulnerability and recovery strategies in Thailand and a study on the social and economic aftermaths of a tsunami and a hurricane in Hawaii. Section 3 consists of a chapter on volcanic eruptions and plagues as well as cultural responses in Ancient Times and a study on contemporary vulnerability and resilience under chronic volcanic eruptions. Section 4 investigates the impact of hurricane Katrina on the current jazz scene in New Orleans and cultural responses to floodings in The Netherlands in Early Modern Times.

Extreme Weather Book PDF/Epub Download

This book is about weather extremes in the United Kingdom. It presents fascinating and detailed insights into tornadoes (supercell and non-supercell tornadoes, historical and contemporary case studies, frequency and spatial distributions, and unique data on extreme events); thunderstorms (epic event analysis and observing); hailstorms (intensity, distributions and frequency of high magnitude events); lightning (lightning as a hazard, impacts and injuries); ball lightning (definitions, impacts and case studies); flooding (historical and contemporary analysis, extreme rainfall and flash flooding); snowfalls (heavy snowfall days and events). It also looks at researching weather extremes, provides guidance on performing post-storm site investigations and details what is involved in severe weather forecasting. It is written by members, directors and past and present Heads of the research group the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (TORRO). With fifteen chapters thematically arranged, and data appendix including a new tornado map of the U.K., this book presents a wealth of information on meteorological extremes. This volume is aimed primarily at researchers in the field of meteorology and climatology, but will also be of interest to advanced undergraduate students taking relevant courses in this area.

Handbook of Atmospheric Electrodynamics Book PDF/Epub Download

The participation of such diverse scientific and technical disciplines as meteorology, astronomy, atmospheric electricity, ionospheric and magnetospheric physics, electromagnetic wave propagation, and radio techniques in the research of atmospherics means that results are published in scientific papers widely spread throughout the literature. This Handbook collects the latest knowledge on atmospherics and presents it in two volumes. Each chapter is written by an expert in his or her field. Topics include the physics of thunderclouds, thunder, global atmospheric electric currents, biological aspects of sferics, and various space techniques for detecting lightning within our own atmosphere as well as in the atmospheres of other planets. Up-to-date applications and methodology are detailed. Volumes I and II offer a comprehensive discussion that together will serve as an important resource for practitioners, professionals, and students alike.

Ark of God Book PDF/Epub Download

David Childress, popular author and star of the History Channel’s show Ancient Aliens, takes us on an incredible journey in search of the truth about (and science behind) the fantastic Biblical artifact known as the Ark of the Covenant. This object made by Moses at Mount Sinai—part wooden-metal box and part golden statue—had the power to create “lightning” to kill people, and also to fly and lead people through the wilderness. Featured in such popular movies as Raiders of the Lost Ark by Lucas and Spielberg, the Ark of the Covenant is probably the most mysterious object in the Old Testament—what was it? Was it an ancient electrical device? The Ark of the Covenant suddenly disappears from the Bible record and what happened to it is not mentioned. Was it hidden in the underground passages of King Solomon’s temple and later discovered by the Knights Templar? Was it taken through Egypt to Ethiopia as many Coptic Christians believe? Childress looks into hidden history, astonishing ancient technology, and a 3,000-year-old mystery that continues to fascinate millions of people today.

Unifying Themes in Complex Systems Book PDF/Epub Download

In recent years, scientists have applied the principles of complex systems science to increasingly diverse fields. The results have been nothing short of remarkable. The Third International Conference on Complex Systems attracted over 400 researchers from around the world. The conference aimed to encourage cross-fertilization between the many disciplines represented and to deepen our understanding of the properties common to all complex systems.

Deviant Science Book PDF/Epub Download

This book is a volume in the Penn Press Anniversary Collection. To mark its 125th anniversary in 2015, the University of Pennsylvania Press rereleased more than 1,100 titles from Penn Press's distinguished backlist from 1899-1999 that had fallen out of print. Spanning an entire century, the Anniversary Collection offers peer-reviewed scholarship in a wide range of subject areas.