Shape of Lightning bolt not so random... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2018, 10:50:41 pm
content: I saw this the other day. Grabbed the footage, slowed it down and took a screen shot.https://youtu.be/2XP_4Bzpct8?t=150

author: ignator
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2018, 12:08:49 am
content: I don't think those close 2 additional parallel strikes are real, more they are something generated by the camera lens. They don't seem to end in a discharge point. Or am I missing something.The last I heard about the lighting path, it connects multiple ion trails from high speed particles, traveling from upper levels of the atmosphere. That was the theory 30 years ago.

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2018, 12:13:44 am
content: That's definitely just an artifact. I see about three goal posts as well.

author: StillTrying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2018, 12:14:37 am
content: It might be taken from a commentary box through multiple layers of glass.

author: Muxr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2018, 12:19:02 am
content: Most likely a lens element reflection.

author: Muxr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2018, 12:33:50 am
content: could be just the effect of the rolling shutter.

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2018, 12:35:00 am
content: I am intrigued by the same shape/waveform of the strike hitting the stadium and then the building, too.If it were just reflections on the lenses, how come that it is such a long delay between them?

author: Muxr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2018, 12:38:08 am
content: Quote from: RoGeorge on August 06, 2018, 12:35:00 amThe sensor was likely over-saturated by the real non reflected lightning, that combined with the rolling shutter effect could be playing tricks on us.

author: StillTrying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2018, 01:20:31 am
content: It has to be the image sensor or processing getting confused with the very rapidly changing light level.By the false images of the strike, you can tell there's somespareimage sensor pixels above the wide screen format shape shown.

author: raptor1956
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2018, 04:29:33 am
content: As an aside, the charge carried in a typical lightning bolt is less than 100C with a large bolt being more like 350C whereas a single AA battery can deliver about 5000C. Of course, the energy content can be millions of times greater in a lightning bolt.Brian

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2018, 05:12:56 am
content: One interesting thing with lightning is before it actually strikes a specific target, there is often discharge from many targets all around. I forget what they call that, corona? Or is that something else? It happens for an extremely short amount of time, before the lightning "decides" what to hit. This is why stuff can fry even from indirect hits.This particular pic looks like it's reflections/artifacts though.As a side note, I captured this the other day when camping:Lightening is always so cool to see.

author: raptor1956
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2018, 05:22:36 am
content: Quote from: Red Squirrel on August 06, 2018, 05:12:56 amAnd, for another interesting take on lightning in Canada...Brian

author: GregDunn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2018, 05:55:03 am
content: Quote from: Red Squirrel on August 06, 2018, 05:12:56 amIt's called the leader.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2018, 06:07:13 am
content: Quote from: GregDunn on August 06, 2018, 05:55:03 amI think "streamer" is the specific term for the pre-flash discharge channel which builds from the ground up. The non-localized discharge glow which may or may not result in formation of a flash channel is indeed called corona.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightning#Lightning_leaders

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2018, 06:43:49 am
content: Quote from: ebastler on August 06, 2018, 06:07:13 amOr in some cases St. Elmos Fire.