Lightning is essentially a giant spark of static electricity, though much about how and why it forms remains unknown and the subject of scientific research. It is known that lightning occurs in thunderstorms when there is a separation of electrical charge within the storm clouds, which can cause cloud-to-cloud lightning, the majority of lightning that occurs in a storm. A charge separation can also form between thunderstorm clouds and the ground, leading to classic cloud-to-ground lightning. Thunder is the acoustic shock wave that results from the heat that a lightning strike produces. NASA research suggests that lightning flashes 40 times a second around the globe. Read about the latest lightning research and see amazing lightning photos below.
Latest about lightning
New thunderstorms wider than Earth are spewing out green lightning on Jupiter — and could make one of the gas giant's massive bands disappear
A pair of massive thunderstorms have been spotted swirling in Jupiter's "South Equatorial Belt" and are likely unleashing massive bolts of green lightning. Some experts think the pale clouds could end up altering the rusty band's color — and potentially even making it "disappear."
Giant wildfires can create their own weather. Here's how.
Wildfires can generate tornado-like fire whirls and other "unpredictable and erratic" weather. An atmospheric scientist explains how.
Can static electricity cause a fire?
It's commonplace to get a jolt from static electricity. But does it have enough electrical charge to start a fire?
Mysterious flashes on Venus may be a rain of meteors, new study suggests
Bright flashes in the clouds of Venus once thought to be lightning strikes may have a cosmic origin.
Eerie, ultra-detailed photo of a lightning 'sprite' exposes one of nature's least understood phenomena
An astronomer in Slovakia captured the rare luminous phenomenon as it briefly flashed in Earth's upper atmosphere during a thunderstorm.
Photographer captures rare 'gigantic jets' of upside-down lightning blasting out of Atlantic hurricane
Gigantic jets, which are 50 times more powerful than typical lightning bolts and can reach the edge of space, were seen erupting out of Hurricane Franklin near Puerto Rico.
What happens if you get struck by lightning… and survive?
Lightning is terrifying, but it's not always deadly. Here's what it does to the human body.
Watch thousands of lightning bolts crackle over Europe in stunning new satellite video
Stunning first videos from a new space-borne instrument designed to improve the monitoring of thunderstorms show the crackle of lightning over Europe, Africa and the Atlantic Ocean.
