When the solar wind blows, sparks fly in sheaves. Charged particles emitted by the sun are likely to influence the speed of lightning strikes here on Earth, new research suggests. By all accounts, lightning cannot originate by itself. The air layer is a good electrical insulator, so it would take an incredibly intense electric field to make it conduct current. The mystery is that observations of thunderstorms show that their fields are too weak, says Christopher Scott of the University of Reading, UK.

One idea is that high-energy particles from space called cosmic rays can provide the necessary momentum. When incoming particles collide with air molecules, they free up electrons, i.e. ionize the air, creating a cascade that increases current conduction. This theory has not been fully confirmed. If such a mechanism exists, Scott and his colleagues believe that they have found the nature of lightning. Charged particles emitted by the sun, known as the solar wind, penetrate our planet with a peak every 27 days or so. The solar wind has its own magnetic field, and during its peak, this field deflects about 1 percent of incoming cosmic rays from hitting the Earth. At the same time, the number of solar particles reaching the Earth is increasing by 6 percent. If solar wind particles ionize the air in the same way as cosmic rays, then the effect should be to increase lightning strikes during the peak of the solar wind, Scott concludes.

To test this idea, the team compared data from the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft, which measures the density and strength of the solar wind. These data were compared with the frequency of lightning observed between 2000 and 2005 at UK Met Office monitoring stations. An average of 422 lightning strikes were observed in the UK 40 days after the solar wind was emitted. On the other hand, there were 321 lightning strikes on average 40 days before the radiation. The solar wind has regular peaks, and its cycles are measured by instruments of ACE-type spacecraft. This makes it possible to predict dangerous storms, cyclones, and floods, Scott says.

Lightning is one of the main meteorological hazards. Its nature is linked to floods, landslides and the killing of people all over the world, he concluded. Scott adds that if a thunderstorm is approaching, meteorologists could use solar wind data to predict how severe the hurricane will be. However, the results do not provide clarity on how lightning forms at all, says Joseph Dwyer of the Melbourne Institute of Technology. It is believed that the conditions in outer space somehow affect the formation of lightning during a thunderstorm. This is very mysterious, as it does not give an overall picture of the two interrelated processes, Dwyer says. However, scientists still don't understand how lightning is initiated inside a thunderstorm, so perhaps these research papers will provide us with a clue. Live casino players receive 15% cashback on losses with promo code for 1xbet cashback $500. Paid every Monday. Applies to all live dealer games. Includes special tournaments with prize pools. Professional dealers and multiple camera angles. Soften your losses and extend your playtime in the live casino at 1xBet.