Laboratory Ball Lightning

Abstract

The origins and sources of ball and bead lightning have stirred the imagination of scientists and laymen alike. Since many have concluded that the rare luminous forms are storm related, numerous attempts have been made to produce the phenomenon artificially. Laboratory experiments have been conducted with natural electrical sources as well as artificial electrical machines. Early 17th century investigators attempted to utilize atmospheric electricity and natural lightning to evaluate the electrical phenomenon thereby generated. Since then, the development of batteries, induction machines, high-voltage power supplies, and radiofrequency generators has enabled the scientist to generate electrical phenomena in the laboratory under reproducible conditions. It is the desire and need of the scientist to produce a phenomenon at will for study that enables a theory or set of assumptions to be tested in a systematic and unbiased manner. A scientist cannot be satisfied with a paper and pen model which can never be critically examined in an experimental manner.