All About Lightning

Does lightning strike twice in the same place? How does a lightning rod work? What is ball lightning? How many thunderstorms are in progress in the world at any one time? Why does lightning zigzag? What is St. Elmo's Fire? These and many more often-asked questions about lightning are answered in this fascinating and informative guide for the layman, presented in an easy-to-follow question-and-answer format. One of nature's most awesome phenomena, lightning has intrigued man since earliest times. In this book, a noted scientist and expert on lightning dispels many misconceptions while offering a wealth of scientific and technical information about the nature of lightning and its effects. You'll discover how Benjamin Franklin proved that lightning was electrical, how to protect yourself from lightning, how to photograph lightning (it's not difficult), the possible relationship between ball lightning and UFOs, what to do for a person struck by lightning, the nature of sheet lightning, ribbon lightning, bead lightning and other variations, and much more. While the overall approach is nontechnical, Dr. U man has incorporated scientific data in the answers in such a way that laymen will find the book a near-painless introduction to current scientific knowledge about lightning. Simple, well-drawn diagrams illuminate the text, along with a selection of spectacular lightning photographs, including a remarkable image of 5 lightning bolts produced by the explosion of the first thermonuclear device. In addition, each chapter contains a list of references cited in the text which suggest further reading for anyone interested in finding out more about earth's dazzling atmospheric fireworks.