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NOVA scienceNOW: Lightning
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Program Overview
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Researchers investigate how lightning propagates and examine whether cosmic
rays from dying stars trigger bolts of lightning.
This NOVA scienceNOW segment:
focuses on research efforts that attempt to explain how lightning
propagates, a phenomenon researchers are still trying to understand. shows different techniques used to study and measure lightning, such as
releasing weather balloons and launching rockets to trigger lightning
strikes. describes a new theory in which electrons that move near the speed of
light trigger lightning. explains that the source of these high-speed electrons may be cosmic
rays emanating from dying stars. relates how X-rays and gamma rays are produced when cosmic rays collide
with Earth's atmosphere—these high-energy rays generate high-speed
electrons.
Taping Rights: Can be used up to one year after the program is taped off the air.
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