A model of ball lightning as a magnetic knot with linked streamers
Loading...
Download
Official URL
Full text at PDC
Publication date
1998
Authors
Advisors (or tutors)
Editors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
Citations
Exportar
Citation
Abstract
We develop a topological model of ball lightning which explains its stability by the coupling of an air ball to a magnetic knot, a magnetic field with linked magnetic lines. Assuming that currents flow inside the ball, along short-circuited linked streamers following the lines of del x B, the lifetime, energy, and radiated power of the average ball are correctly accounted for. The model explains why some witnesses do not feel heat, while others are burnt, and why filaments are seen to trail the ball in some cases.
Description
© 1998 by the American Geophysical Union. We are grateful to M. V. Berry, A. Ibort and J. M. Montesinos for comments and encouragement, to A. Tiemblo for hospitality to A.F.R. at the lnstituto de Matemáticas y Física Fundamental, C.S.I.C., Madrid, to Stanley Singer for pointing to us the existence of reference [Alexeff and Rader, 1995] and to the reviewers for their useful suggestions.