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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:
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focuses on research efforts that attempt to explain how
lightning propagates, a phenomenon researchers are still trying
to understand.
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shows different techniques used to study and measure lightning,
such as releasing weather balloons and launching rockets to
trigger lightning strikes.
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describes a new theory in which electrons that move near the
speed of light trigger lightning.
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explains that the source of these high-speed electrons may be
cosmic rays emanating from dying stars.
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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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