Posted on 04/10/2013 9:41:20 AM PDT by Red Badger
Though its name sounds better suited to fantasy or sci-fi, researchers have recently gathered evidence that something called dark lightning exists, the Washington Post reported.
Like any evil twin, dark lightning appears to "compete" with the ordinary lightning during thunderstorms.
A person could be struck by dark lightning and not even know it.
Like ordinary lightning, dark lightning brews inside thunderclouds. In fact, it may be a competing way for the clouds to release their energy, says Joseph Dwyer, a lightning researcher at the Florida Institute of Technology. Dwyer has come up with a model explaining how dark lightning arises. His idea awaits further measurements for confirmation.
Scientists first began seeing hints of dark lightning from gamma ray measurements from satellites since at least the 1990s, according to this NASA video. Gamma rays, the most energetic wave in the electromagnetic spectrum, are typically associated with radioactive decay, nuclear detonations and supernova explosions. Dark lightning appears to be made of X-rays and gamma rays.
Although no one knows for sure, humans may have been struck by dark lightning before, most likely during an airplane ride, Dwyer told the Washington Post. Even that is unlikely: Pilots usually stay away from storms, and dark lightning flashes are rare compared to ordinary lightning bolts. If hit, however, plane passengers probably wouldn't hear or feel the strike, but they would absorb what Dwyer estimated to be an entire lifetime's worth of safe radiation.
Dark Lightning Flash Above Earth In this visualization of dark lightning, which is actually invisible, gamma rays are shown in pink. Highlighted in yellow are subatomic particles called positrons that the Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope detected from this dark lightning flash. The Earth is below and the moon appears behind the pink gamma rays. Screenshot from "ScienceCasts: Dark Lightning" by Science@NASA on YouTube
Paging Ken Hamblin.
“A person could be struck by dark lightning and not even know it. “
Most low info voters have been struck....
I feel sure that I am being struck by dark lighning at this very instance. Of course, I feel nothing at all -- but that doesn't mean I'm not being subjected to multiple bolts of the stuff.
My only real question is that if this is safe radiation, what amount constitutes "an entire lifetime's worth"? Would absorbing 10,000 lifetimes' worth be a problem? Is there any actual meaning this type of language at all, or did it just sound good to the writer?
Moochelle’s SS code name?
Dark lightning, dark matter, the God Particle......
Keep in mind, this is science that develops hypothesis based on “holes” in research. When things don’t add up, “something is missing.” What would explain the peice of the puzzle?
I’m not saying the science is not legit. It’s a start. But you’d think there would be more proof or evidence beyond an explanation or absence of proof. The extent of the explanation is somthing satalights have recorded.
Science continues to get more and more sloppy. I guess this tidbit will get them some more funding to find the “dark lightning”.
He full of Dark Matter......Dark Brown Matter................
Does this stuff cluster around urban centers perhaps?
Now we’ll have to start putting lead shields on aircraft........
Now we’ll have to start putting lead shields on aircraft........
Well, that would certainly use more fuel. Burning more fuel would increase the rate of apocalyptic global warming. People might all have to move to an Island near Guam. Then the islands would start to tip over. But that's ok because wellfare and foodstamps helps the economy by giving people jobs.
Wait!..... Would a plane still fly if it were completely clad in lead?
(sarcasm....as if it isn't obvious)
I see a gigantic government grant in the offing.
We need a crash study on a phenomenon that you can’t see, can’t feel, does no damage.
Every day, I do not know that I’m struck by lightning. Good to have an explanation.
Dark lightning. Dark energy. Dark matter.
All ideas that come from dark genius!
What a bunch of row boats!!!
;-)
Gripping the wheel, his knuckles Went white with desire!
The wheels Of his Mustang exploding on the Highway like aslug from a .45.
True death: 400 horsepower of Maximum performance piercing the
Night... This is black sunshine.
OK, I’ll say it... THIS IS A STUPID NAME
It is not “lightning” in any form, light or dark.
The phrase was poorly written, but the idea is that the effect of radiation on the body is cumulative, and the “safe” level is one that is low enough for our cells to repair the damage. The most practical application is with the rules that apply to nuclear workers; if their total exposure reaches a certain level they are not allowed near any source of radiation. So the article is suggesting that the dose from a lightning strike is 10,000 times the “safe” level for a lifetime. I find this claim dubious because that kind of exposure would almost certainly cause symptoms of radiation sickness and would likely be fatal.
Not.
My.
Fault.
So much gloom and doom these days. Dark lightning, EMP, atomic North Korea, atomic Iran, Israel on the brink, will we survive? Is this another crisis to distract us while the government picks our pockets?
Speaking of Dave Barry, “Dark Lightening” would be a great name for a band.
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