Lightning
Latest about lightning
![An illustration showing the donut-shaped Van Allen radiation belts swirling around Earth, with electrons spiraling through them.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/i37FraaHQTpde35DNHLFUk-320-80.jpeg)
Ultra-fast electron rain is pouring out of Earth's magnetosphere, and scientists think they know why
By Brandon Specktor published
Scientists discovered the mechanism that causes electrons to 'downpour' into Earth's atmosphere.
![video clip shows the height of the volcanic plume generated by an underwater volcano called Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha‘apai](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cKnV6sK7uvYujwgh9zgZMh-320-80.gif)
Tonga underwater volcano eruption shattered two records
By Nicoletta Lanese published
The eruption triggered nearly 590,000 lightning strikes.
![A lightning "mapper" on the GOES-16 satellite captured images of the megaflash lightning bolt on April 29, 2020, over the southeastern U.S.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4V9efqWv6ynfs22oy8qo2W-320-80.jpg)
Lightning bolt breaks record for longest ever recorded
By Stephanie Pappas published
Storms in the U.S. and Uruguay set new records for longest lightning bolt and longest-duration lightning flash.
![An artist's illustration of a kite with a key being struck by lightning](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AsMcgqExXdWTgHUKq6v778-320-80.jpg)
Did Benjamin Franklin really discover electricity with a kite and key?
By Jacklin Kwan published
Here's what historians have to say about whether Benjamin Franklin really flew a kite tied to a key during a lightning storm.
![What would happen if the speed of sound was as fast as the speed of light?](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9x4ZakQtTLUNQrEtu6xSZG-320-80.jpg)
What if the speed of sound were as fast as the speed of light?
By Isobel Whitcomb published
The speed of light moves 1 million times faster than the speed of sound. What would happen if the speed of sound sped up to match it?
![mars dust storm](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LjaNQq7CJNefvDP3Q8zuzP-320-80.jpg)
7 solar system worlds where the weather is crazy
By Jonathan O'Callaghan, Daisy Dobrijevic, How It Works magazine published
What's the weather like on other worlds? Expect methane rain, global haboobs and a 10,000-mile-wide hurricane.
![An artist's rendition of the early Earth environment. Lightning generated by storms and volcanic plumes frequently strikes volcanic rocks. The lightning strikes create fulgurites which contain phosphorus in a form that can be dissolved in water and concentrate in waters like volcanic ponds. Here, the phosphorus is able to form biomolecules which help lead to the emergence of life.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DM9YMdGt25skQBziebK5BU-320-80.jpeg)
Billions of lightning bolts may have jump-started life on Earth, study suggests
By Brandon Specktor published
Lightning storms on early Earth may have given the planet enough phosphorus to craft the first DNA and RNA molecules, study suggests
![This otherworldly image, captured by a camera on a telescope at Maunakea, shows two lightning phenomenon: a red sprite and a blue jet.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vup377MPPJfsSCrSQX2kQc-320-80.jpg)
Rare red sprite and blue jet create otherworldly light show above Hawaii
By Stephanie Pappas published
A camera at an observatory in Hawaii captured a red sprite and a blue jet in the same frame.
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