Laser Triggers Electrical Activity In Thunderstorm

esocid writes "A team of European scientists has deliberately triggered electrical activity in thunderclouds for the first time by aiming high-power pulses of laser light into a thunderstorm. At the top of South Baldy Peak in New Mexico during two passing thunderstorms, the researchers used laser pulses to create plasma filaments that could conduct electricity. No air-to-ground lightning was triggered because the filaments were too short-lived, but the laser pulses generated discharges in the thunderclouds themselves up to several meters long. Triggering lightning strikes is an important tool for basic and applied research because it enables researchers to study the mechanisms underlying lightning strikes. Moreover, triggered lightning strikes will allow engineers to evaluate and test the lightning-sensitivity of airplanes and critical infrastructure such as power lines. Research into laser-triggered lightning has been going on for some years. Until now, no experiment was able to produce a long enough plasma channel to affect the electrical activity inside clouds."

I can think of no possible negative consequences..

[Theatetus]

...to shooting a laser at a big storm cloud trying to generate lightning. None whatsoever.

Lasers again.

[Bovius]

Sometimes I think these discoveries aren't the result of due scientific process. Sometimes I think a bunch of researchers were sitting around a break room table and said, "Let's shoot lasers at clouds!" Shooting anything with a laser to see what happens is a noble scientific endeavor.

Sharks?

[ruiner13]

How did they get the sharks with the friggin' laser beams into the clouds?

Re:Let me be the first...

[RuBLed]

...to welcome our laser-wielding lightning commanding shark overlords!

there fixed it for you

Re:Let me be the first...

[Sta7ic]

Sorry, I think the Greeks were doing that with Zeus. You're a few thousand years late.

Re:I can think of no possible negative consequence

[flaming error]

Just don't cross the beams.

Mwahahaha!

[patternmatch]

Triggering lightning strikes is an important tool for basic and applied research

Don't forget supervilliany.

Now we know what bored scientists do

[the eric conspiracy]

Sounds like there could be a Darwin Award in this.

Here's hoping...

[__aaclcg7560]

A bunch of basement dwellers will rush outside with their mini laser lights to either get zapped by lightning or busted by the police for being terrorists when a plane flies overhead. Their sacrifices for science will be greatly appreciated by the community.

Re:Lasers again.

[hardburn]

That's what I told my parents when I blinded my little brother. They didn't believe me.

Re:I can think of no possible negative consequence

[jd]

It's part of one of Baldrick's cunning plans. Clouds are made of water, right? And sharks swim in water. So if you kitted up the sharks with lasers...

Re:Let me be the first...

[Anonymous Coward]

you know, somehow i think it would be more effective just aiming the damn high-power laser at your target.. but maybe that's just me.

The most wonderful thing about triggers is...

[greenguy]

...I'm the only one!

Wait, let me read that headline again...

Re:Electricity source?

[powermacx]

I was hanging a clock in the bathroom while standing on the edge of the toilet when I slipped, fell and hit my head on the sink. Then I came up with this:

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Re:Lasers again.

[hardburn]

It's always important to have repeatable results.

Solution to our energy woes!

[Repton]

1. Set up giant skyward-pointing laser.
2. Connect to mad-scientist-style lightning rod.
3. Wait for thunderstorm.
4. Profit!!!

We use the lightning to drive the laser, and syphon off the excess energy into big batteries. The process is self-sustaining until the storm runs out of juice, when it ends naturally. Free electricity for us and no lightning damage to the surrounding area 'cause we're sucking down all the bolts ourselves. It's win-win!

(of course, now all the America-hating greenies will come out of the woodwork, claiming that we're exploiting the world's natural lightning resources, and warning of grave consequences once we reach "peak storm" or other such nonsense)

Re:Electricity source?

[Anonymous Coward]

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Re:Electricity source?

[photonrider]

Pants?

Re:Electricity source?

[aproposofwhat]

RobertM?

Is that really you?

There's plenty of thunder around Harare this time of year :o)

Please stand under this tree.