Sasquatch Chronicles Blog

Apr 7

Ball Lightning

I want to thank my Geologist friend Brian for sending me this “possible explanation” on what these lights are that people are seeing in the woods.

Ball_lightningBall lightning is an unexplained atmospheric electrical phenomenon. The term refers to reports of luminous, spherical objects which vary in diameter from pea-sized to several meters. It is usually associated with thunderstorms, but lasts considerably longer than the split-second flash of a lightning bolt. Many early reports say that the ball eventually explodes, sometimes with fatal consequences, leaving behind the odor of sulfur. Many scientific hypotheses about ball lightning have been proposed over the centuries. In January 2014, spectrography data that was captured by chance (discussed below) lent support to the vaporized silicon hypothesis.

Until the 1960s, most scientists argued that ball lightning was not a real phenomenon, despite numerous sightings throughout the world. Laboratory experiments can produce effects that are visually similar to reports of ball lightning, but whether these are related to the natural phenomenon remains unclear.

Scientific data on natural ball lightning are scarce, owing to its infrequency and unpredictability. The presumption of its existence is based on reported public sightings, and has therefore produced somewhat inconsistent findings. Given inconsistencies and lack of reliable data, the true nature of ball lightning is still unknown. The first ever optical spectrum of what appears to have been a ball lightning event was published in January 2014 and included a video at high frame rate. Read more here.

15 Responses to “Ball Lightning”

  1. Tyler D

    So, it’s mostly coincidental that these balls of light are sometimes attributed to encounters with sasquatch? N another coincidence being that these balls of light leave a sulfuric smell in the air. And some encounters with sasquatch are said to have an odor about them that smells like sulfur

  2. Tyler D

    It kind of makes me curious about these balls of light. Like there’s more to it than we’re seeing. It can’t all be coincidence, could it? Fascinating nonetheless

  3. Christopher U

    Ball lightning is not an explanation for what the people are seeing. Ball lightning does not move like it is under intellgent control and none I have ever seen lasts more than a few minutes.

  4. Tyler D

    I never said that was the explanation, I said there’s probably something more to this. The one thing that bothers me about the internet is that people misconstru what you say or put words in your mouth

  5. Papa - Yeti

    I disagree that ‘Ball Lightning’ and ‘ignis fatuus are the same thing, very similar in shape, but different in energies, as ignis fatuus is said to be a cold energy, as to where ‘Ball Lightning is said to be a ‘Hot’ energy. If they were the same ‘animal’ Wes, then there would be a lot of reports of the the blue / green, and yellowish orbs destroying trees while witnessed in the forests and swamps. Close, by no Cigar. As well, ball lightning is ‘A Hot’ energy and thus is very bright in Lumens. Goggle Wikipeadia – ‘Wil -o’ – the – wisp. there is much written there upon the ignis fatuus and upon ‘Ball – Lightning’.

  6. Milton L

    Ball lightning is “said to be” hot or is “thought to be” similar to Ignis fatuus, but we really don’t know enough about these transient phenomena to be certain about what is actually happening. Sometimes ball lightning explodes when it contacts a wall or window, and at other times it passes through solid objects. It really is quite peculiar.

  9. Pierre M

    This phenomenon is not ball lighting. Ive seen ball lightinening. And it was during a lightening storm. I call them plasma balls. But these balls of light seen in forest are not assosciated with lightening? Theyre are silent and move with purpose . Descending and ascending changing directions. No not a lightening ball. These are orbs that move thru trees

  10. Keith M

    Ball lightning does not explain all the sightings reported on strange lights. My family, in Texas County, Missouri, many years ago had heard reports of strange bright lights in the area. And one evening, as my grandmother and her three daughters were walking home on a country road after dark after visiting. They were astonished to suddenly see a large, very bright light – like a car headlight – floating low above the ground in front of them. They stopped, staring, dazzled by the brightness and frightened. And slowly the light rose, eventually going above the treetops. I heard all three of them corroborate the story. Reports continued over the years, but I have not heard anything from the area for several decades now.

Leave a Reply