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Ball lightning 'may explain UFOs'
BBC News ^
| 12/1/10
| BBC
Posted on 12/01/2010 9:58:43 AM PST by NormsRevenge
Some UFO sightings could be explained by ball lightning and other atmospheric phenomena, claims Australian astrophysicist Stephen Hughes.
The scientist has made a detailed study of an unusual event in 2006 when large meteors were observed over Brisbane.
Their appearance occurred at the same time as a brilliant green object was seen to roll over nearby mountains.
Dr Hughes has put forward a theory linking the object - presumed to be ball lighting - to the fireballs.
His idea is that one of the fireballs may have momentarily triggered an electrical connection between the upper atmosphere and the ground, providing energy for the ball lightning to appear above the hills.
He has written up his explanation in a journal of the Royal Society.
Dr Hughes says the extraordinary episode, which occurred during a night of fine weather, is just the sort of happening that might lead some to think they had witnessed UFO activity.
"If you put together inexplicable atmospheric phenomena, maybe of an electrical nature, with human psychology and the desire to see something - that could explain a lot of these UFO sightings," he told BBC News.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: balllightning; ufos
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may..
or may not.
a hughly charged topic.
To: NormsRevenge
To: NormsRevenge
It does have its pluses and minuses...
3
posted on
12/01/2010 10:04:14 AM PST
by
null and void
(We are now in day 679 of our national holiday from reality. - 0bama really isn't one of US.)
To: null and void
But nothing to get all charged up about.
4
posted on
12/01/2010 10:05:41 AM PST
by
freedumb2003
(FYI: everything I post is IMHO -- YOU JACKWAGON! [no offense -- I just like that word])
To: NormsRevenge
Ball Lightning?
Got that once when I peed on an electric fence.
5
posted on
12/01/2010 10:06:52 AM PST
by
N. Theknow
(Kennedys: Can't skipper a boat, Can't drive, Can't ski, Can't fly. But they KNOW what's best!)
To: NormsRevenge
SWAMP GAS...
6
posted on
12/01/2010 10:07:54 AM PST
by
evets
(beer)
To: freedumb2003
I’ve lost an electron.
Are you sure?
I’m positive!
7
posted on
12/01/2010 10:08:06 AM PST
by
null and void
(We are now in day 679 of our national holiday from reality. - 0bama really isn't one of US.)
To: NormsRevenge
Interesting, and I thought UFO science was static.
8
posted on
12/01/2010 10:08:11 AM PST
by
DannyTN
To: N. Theknow
9
posted on
12/01/2010 10:08:29 AM PST
by
null and void
(We are now in day 679 of our national holiday from reality. - 0bama really isn't one of US.)
To: null and void
Why that’s downright ionic!
10
posted on
12/01/2010 10:08:43 AM PST
by
MHGinTN
(Some, believing they can't be deceived, it's nigh impossible to convince them when they're deceived.)
To: NormsRevenge
On the other hand, UFOs may explain “ball lightning”.
11
posted on
12/01/2010 10:10:02 AM PST
by
RobRoy
(The US Today: Revelation 18:4)
To: NormsRevenge
Were the mountains named ‘Thornhill’?
12
posted on
12/01/2010 10:10:02 AM PST
by
MHGinTN
(Some, believing they can't be deceived, it's nigh impossible to convince them when they're deceived.)
To: MHGinTN
I’ve found that things flow more freely since I had a high ionic...
13
posted on
12/01/2010 10:10:17 AM PST
by
null and void
(We are now in day 679 of our national holiday from reality. - 0bama really isn't one of US.)
To: N. Theknow
farm kid here, that’s something you only do once. that’s not ozone you smell.
I seen a giant orange fiery ball in the sky one night.. weirdest darn thing I ever seen.
14
posted on
12/01/2010 10:10:56 AM PST
by
NormsRevenge
(Semper Fi ... Godspeed .. Monthly Donor Onboard .. Obama: Epic Fail or Bust!!!)
To: DannyTN
Interesting, and I thought UFO science was static.Do try to stay caught up with current events...
15
posted on
12/01/2010 10:11:01 AM PST
by
null and void
(We are now in day 679 of our national holiday from reality. - 0bama really isn't one of US.)
To: null and void
Shocking, posit-lively shocking!
16
posted on
12/01/2010 10:11:53 AM PST
by
MHGinTN
(Some, believing they can't be deceived, it's nigh impossible to convince them when they're deceived.)
To: no one in particular
Is there a punsters’ ping list?
This thread has high potential...
17
posted on
12/01/2010 10:12:30 AM PST
by
null and void
(We are now in day 679 of our national holiday from reality. - 0bama really isn't one of US.)
To: NormsRevenge
Wouldn’t that burn your pants?
18
posted on
12/01/2010 10:12:36 AM PST
by
WayneS
(Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm. -- James Madison)
To: null and void
Shocking revelation. I am positive that this will be polarising, though.
19
posted on
12/01/2010 10:13:38 AM PST
by
Army Air Corps
(Four fried chickens and a coke)
To: null and void
20
posted on
12/01/2010 10:14:26 AM PST
by
Army Air Corps
(Four fried chickens and a coke)
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