INSPECT search on "ball lightning" from 1989 - Apr/1996 -- NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE -- 96 citations (below) Citation: 1 of 96 Accession No.: 5289239. Author: Lowke-J-J. Author Affil.: Div. of Appl. Phys., CSIRO, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Title: A theory of ball lightning as an electric discharge. Source: Journal of Physics D (Applied Physics). vol.29, no.5. pp. 1237-44. 14 May 1996. References: 49 refs. ISSN: 0022-3727. CODEN: JPAPBE. Language: eng. Year: 1996. Pub. Type: journal-article (J). Treatment: theoretical or mathematical (T). Report No.: CCCC: 0022-3727/96/051237+08$19.50. Pub. Country: UK. Class. Code: A9260P. A5280. A5280H. Subject: corona. discharges-electric. lightning. Identifiers: plasma. atmosphere. theory. ball lightning. electric discharge. ion transport equations. electron transport equations. Poisson`s equation. Poisson. continuously varying. microsecond variability. corona-like discharge. electric field. lightning strike. preferred conducting path. formation. lifetime. energy source. motion. Abstract: It is proposed, on the basis of solutions of electron and ion transport equations, together with Poisson`s equation, that ball lightning is an electric discharge which is continuously varying on a microsecond time scale. It is further proposed that this corona-like discharge is sustained by electric fields associated with charges from a lightning strike dispersing along preferred conducting paths in the Earth. The theory gives an explanation of the formation, lifetime, energy source and motion of ball lightning. UW Load Date: 9606. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 2 of 96 Accession No.: 5236224. Author: Amirov-A-K. Bychkov-V-L. Author Affil.: Inst. of High Temp., Acad. of Sci., Moscow, Russia. Title: Influence of atmospheric thunderstorm conditions on the life time of ball lightning. Source: Physica Scripta. vol.53, no.2. pp. 252-5. Feb. 1996. References: 22 refs. ISSN: 0031-8949. CODEN: PHSTBO. Language: eng. Year: 1996. Pub. Type: journal-article (J). Treatment: theoretical or mathematical (T). Pub. Country: Sweden. Class. Code: A9260P. A9260Q. A9260J. Subject: atmospheric-humidity. lightning. statistical-analysis. thunderstorms. Identifiers: atmospheric thunderstorm conditions. ball lightning. rank correlation method. thunderstorm influence. atmospheric humidity. electric field strength. statistical analysis. Abstract: A rank correlation method was applied to investigate the influence of atmospheric thunderstorm conditions on the life time (observation time) of ball lightning (BL). Data from the PC Stakhavov-Keul-Bychkov Data Bank on BL were used. For the analysis a ranking of BL over sizes has been made and a ranking of atmospheric conditions of the BL observations in respect to humidity and of thunderstorm conditions in respect to electric field strength of the atmosphere ground layer have been made. Statistical analysis reveals that both the increase of the humidity and of the electric field strength decreases the BL life time. These results are discussed from the point of view of the different BL models. UW Load Date: 9604. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 3 of 96 Accession No.: 5168280. Author: Zou-You-Suo. Author Affil.: Inst. of Atmos. Phys., Chinese Aacd. of Sci., Beijing, China. Title: Some physical considerations for unusual atmospheric lights observed in Norway. Source: Physica Scripta. vol.52, no.6. pp. 726-30. Dec. 1995. References: 21 refs. ISSN: 0031-8949. CODEN: PHSTBO. Language: eng. Year: 1995. Pub. Type: journal-article (J). Treatment: experimental (X). Contract No.: PFR WI3BON;. Pub. Country: Sweden. Class. Code: A9410Q. A9260P. Subject: atmospheric-radiation. emission. lightning. plasma-waves. solitons. Identifiers: physical considerations. unusual atmospheric lights. Norway. nonlinear wave particle interactions. turbulent plasma. wave vortex interaction. fireball vortex structure. plasma solitons. plasma ball lightning. Abstract: Some unusual atmospheric lights observed in Norway have been explained as the results of nonlinear wave-particle interactions based on turbulent plasma theory and wave-vortex interaction as well as laboratory experiments on rocks. The paper also points out that the atmospheric lights have provided evidence for the vortex structure of fireballs and for the physical mechanism of wave-particle interaction for the formation of plasma ball lightning and solitons. UW Load Date: 9601. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 4 of 96 Accession No.: 5144931. Author: Protasevich-E-T. Author Affil.: Tomsk Polytech. Univ., Russia. Title: Air discharge pecularities at non-uniform humidity and pressure 1-20 torr. Source: Published by: Inst. Electr. Eng. Japan. Tokyo, Japan. 1995. Conf. Title: Proceedings of the Eleventh International Conference on Gas Discharges and Their Applications. Tokyo, Japan. pp. 52-4 vol.2. 11-15 Sept. 1995. ISBN: 4886864996. Language: eng. Year: 1995. Pub. Type: conference-proceeding (C). Treatment: EXPERIMENTAL (X). Num. Indexing: pressure 1.3E+02 to 2.7E+03 Pa. Pub. Country: Japan. Class. Code: A9260P. A9130B. A8670G. A8670L. A5250. Subject: air-pollution-measurement. atmospheric-radiation. earthquakes. lightning. nuclear-explosions. plasma. plasma-production. radioactive-pollution. Identifiers: humidity. pressure. gas-discharge plasma. water vapour. air discharge pecularities. air insulation. cool nonequilibrium plasma. lifetime. physico-chemical processes. atmospheric electricity phenomena. St. Elmo's fire. ball lightning. bead lightning. atmosphere glow. energy-active zones. earthquakes. underground nuclear explosions. natural electromagnetic background. radioactive pollution. 1 to 20 torr. Abstract: The authors describe the properties of gas-discharge plasma and the possibility of its variations on account of the control of water vapour concentration in air insulation. It has been shown, preliminarily, that there is an optimal value of air humidity for each pressure value, which leads to the formation of cool nonequilibrium plasma with a lifetime from tens of milliseconds to seconds. The understanding of the mechanisms of the physico-chemical processes in such plasma offers to develop the principles of control of the atmospheric phenomena and to explain the nature of such atmospheric electricity phenomena as St. Elmo's fire, ball lightning, bead lightning and the atmosphere glowing in energy-active zones (vicinities of earthquakes, underground nuclear explosions, etc.). Causes of the initiation of the natural electromagnetic background, its effect on the atmosphere and environment are considered. The article presents a technique for recording radioactive pollution by measuring radiation in the superhigh frequency region. UW Load Date: 9512. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 5 of 96 Accession No.: 5144292. Author: Lowke-J-J. Author Affil.: Div. of Appl. Phys., CSIRO, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Title: Theory of ball lightning as an electric discharge. Source: Published by: Inst. Electr. Eng. Japan. Tokyo, Japan. 1995. References: 20 refs. Conf. Title: Proceedings of the Eleventh International Conference on Gas Discharges and Their Applications. Tokyo, Japan. pp. 258-61 vol.1. 11-15 Sept. 1995. ISBN: 4886864996. Language: eng. Year: 1995. Pub. Type: conference-proceeding (C). Treatment: THEORETICAL OR MATHEMATICAL (T). Pub. Country: Japan. Class. Code: A9260P. A0250. A5280H. Subject: electric-fields. glow-discharges. lightning. plasma. Poisson-distribution. Identifiers: electric discharge. ball lightning. electron transport equations. ion transport equations. Poisson's equation. continuously varying discharge. corona like discharge. electric fields. lightning strike. conducting paths. glow discharge. convective cooling. Abstract: It is proposed, on the basis of solutions of electron transport and ion transport equations, together with Poisson's equation, that ball lightning is an electric discharge which is continuously varying on a microsecond time scale. It is further proposed that this corona-like discharge is sustained by electric fields associated with charges from a lightning strike dispersing along preferred conducting paths in the Earth. UW Load Date: 9512. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 6 of 96 Accession No.: 5094891. Author: Raiser-R. Lortz-D. Author Affil.: Bayreuth Univ., Germany. Title: Ball lightning as an example of a magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium. Source: Physical Review E (Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics). vol.52, no.3, pt.B. pp. 3034-44. Sept. 1995. References: 23 refs. ISSN: 1063-651X. CODEN: PLEEE8. Language: eng. Year: 1995. Pub. Type: journal-article (J). Treatment: THEORETICAL OR MATHEMATICAL (T). Report No.: CCCC: 1063-651X/95/52(3)/3034(11)/$06.00. Pub. Country: USA. Class. Code: A9260P. A5230. A5235P. A5225L. A5225F. A5255. A5280. Subject: lightning. plasma-confinement. plasma-instability. plasma-magnetohydrodynamics. plasma-pressure. plasma-transport-processes. Identifiers: magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium. ball lightning. lightning-induced fireballs. decaying magnetic field. vanishing magnetic field. singly connected plasma region. atmospheric pressure confinement. spherical plasma boundary. pressure profile perturbation. current profile perturbation. spherical plasma boundary deformation. nonspherical boundary. stability. Abstract: Magnetohydrodynamic equilibria appropriate for describing ball lightning are discussed in this paper. It is argued that lightning-induced fireballs should have a magnetic field decaying at infinity. Such equilibria, in fact, have a vanishing magnetic field outside a singly connected plasma region and are confined by the atmospheric pressure only. An equilibrium of this type with a spherical plasma boundary is investigated, and characteristic quantities are computed. Perturbation of the pressure and current profiles leads to deformation of the spherical plasma boundary, thus indicating the existence of a large class of equilibria with a nonspherical boundary. Finally, some remarks are made concerning the stability of these equilibria. UW Load Date: 9511. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 7 of 96 Accession No.: 5078516. Author: Amirov-A-K. Bychkov-V-L. Author Affil.: Inst. of High Temp., Acad. of Sci., Moscow, Russia. Title: Correlation analysis of ball lightning distribution over colors of the SKB data bank. Source: Physica Scripta. vol.52, no.2. pp. 222-4. Aug. 1995. References: 10 refs. ISSN: 0031-8949. CODEN: PHSTBO. Language: eng. Year: 1995. Pub. Type: journal-article (J). Treatment: THEORETICAL OR MATHEMATICAL (T). Pub. Country: Sweden. Class. Code: A9260P. Subject: collections-of-physical-data. colour. lightning. optical-correlation. Identifiers: correlation analysis. ball lightning distribution. SKB data bank. Stakhanov Bychkov Keul data bank. color. Abstract: A correlation analysis of ball lightning (BL) distribution over colors has been made using the information from the Stakhanov-Bychkov-Keul data bank. A total of 18 factors, which could affect the observers perception, were analyzed for six main colors of BL. The correlation coefficients for all the factors but four turned out to be in the 95% confidence interval from 0.903 to 1 of correlation coefficients for random samplings. Four factors falling out of this range are: observation in September, during night time and before thunderstorm and disappearance of BL through decay. Physical and physiological optics reasons for such a result are discussed. UW Load Date: 9510. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 8 of 96 Accession No.: 4994510. Author: Alexeff-I. Rader-M. Author Affil.: Dept. of Electr. & Comput. Eng., Tennessee Univ., Knoxville, TN, USA. Title: Possible precursors of ball lightning-observation of closed loops in high-voltage discharges. Source: Fusion Technology. vol.27, no.3. pp. 271-3. May 1995. References: 5 refs. ISSN: 0748-1896. CODEN: FUSTE8. Language: eng. Year: 1995. Pub. Type: journal-article (J). Treatment: EXPERIMENTAL (X). Report No.: CCCC: 0748-1896/95/$3.00. Pub. Country: USA. Class. Code: A9260P. A5280M. A2852J. Subject: fusion-reactor-theory. lightning. sparks. Identifiers: ball lightning. closed loops. ultrahigh voltage discharges. Abstract: Several hundred photographs of ultrahigh voltage discharges have been obtained that show closed current loops. These closed current loops may be precursors of ball lightning. One feature of these discharges may explain why observations of ball lightning may be infrequent; that is, there is a distinct threshold in voltage and/or current below which the closed loops do not occur. This threshold current fits other experimental data but is well above the usually observed currents in natural lightning. UW Load Date: 9507. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 9 of 96 Accession No.: 4994509. Author: Reece-Roth-J. Author Affil.: Tennessee Univ., Knoxville, TN, USA. Title: Ball lightning: What nature is trying to tell the plasma research community. Source: Fusion Technology. vol.27, no.3. pp. 255-70. May 1995. References: 20 refs. ISSN: 0748-1896. CODEN: FUSTE8. Language: eng. Year: 1995. Pub. Type: journal-article (J). Treatment: THEORETICAL OR MATHEMATICAL (T). Report No.: CCCC: 0748-1896/95/$3.00. Pub. Country: USA. Class. Code: A9260P. A2852J. Subject: fusion-reactor-theory. lightning. Identifiers: ball lightning. energy storage. plasma-related phenomenon. magnetic energy storage. Abstract: Ball lightning has been extensively observed in atmospheric air, usually in association with thunderstorms, by untrained observers who were not in a position to make careful observations. These chance sightings have been documented by polling observers, who constitute perhaps 5% of the adult U.S. population. Unfortunately, ball lightning is not accessible to scientific analysis because it cannot be reproduced in the laboratory under controlled conditions. Natural ball lightning has been observed to last longer than 90 s and to have diameters from 1 cm to several metres. The energy density of a few lightning balls has been observed to be as high as 20 000 J/cm/sup 3/, well above the limit of chemical energy storage of, for example, TNT at 2000 J/cm/sup 3/. Such observations suggest a plasma-related phenomenon with significant magnetic energy storage. If this is the case, ball lightning should have very interesting implications for fusion research, industrial plasma engineering, and military applications, as well as being of great theoretical and practical interest to the plasma research community. UW Load Date: 9507. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 10 of 96 Accession No.: 4971529. Author: Maiorov-S-A. Tkachev-A-N. Yakovlenko-S-I. Author Affil.: Gen. Phys. Inst., Acad. of Sci., Moscow, Russia. Title: Metastable state of supercooled plasma. Source: Physica Scripta. vol.51, no.4. pp. 498-516. April 1994. References: 23 refs. ISSN: 0031-8949. CODEN: PHSTBO. Language: eng. Year: 1994. Pub. Type: journal-article (J). Treatment: THEORETICAL OR MATHEMATICAL (T). Pub. Country: Sweden. Class. Code: A5225D. A5225F. A5225K. A5225L. A5265. A5220H. Subject: Fokker-Planck-equation. ion-recombination. metastable-states. plasma-collision-processes. plasma-density. plasma-simulation. plasma-temperature. plasma-transport-processes. Identifiers: supercooled plasma. metastable states. computer ab initio simulation. analytical theory. Coulomb plasma. plasma ionization degree. three body recombination. plasmoids. electron energy distribution functions. Coulomb collisions. stochastically isolated plasma. electron number. plasma total energy. isotherms. electron density. Abstract: The computer ab initio simulation and analytical theory, that revealed unexpected non-ergodic properties of a classical Coulomb plasma, is overviewed. The results of a many-charged-particles system simulation predict the possible existence of a real metastable plasma, supercooled with respect to its ionization degree. The three-body recombination at this state is suppressed. The existence of such a plasma state is a consequence of the entropy conservation in isolated Hamiltonian systems free from any stochastic action from the outside (external stochastic disturbance). The occurrence of a metastable supercooled plasma (rather similar to a supercooled vapor or superheated liquid) depends on two conditions: First, all the charged particles should behave exactly according to the laws of classical mechanics (hence, most negatively-charged particles should preferably be heavy ions). Second, the plasma ionization degree should be sufficiently high (>10/sup -3/). It is shown from thermodynamic consideration that a mixture of supercooled plasma with a perfect (ideal) gas might form a plasmoid of the ball-lightning type. UW Load Date: 9506. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 11 of 96 Accession No.: 4947185. Author: Grigorev-A-I. Grigoreva-I-D. Shiryaeva-S-O. Author Affil.: Yaroslavl State Univ., Russia. Title: Stability of ball lightning against its unneutralized self-charge. Source: Zhurnal Tekhnicheskoi Fiziki. vol.65, no.2. pp. 1-10. Feb. 1995. References: 13 refs. Trans. Title: Technical Physics. vol.40, no.2. pp. 117-21. Feb. 1995. ISSN: 0044-4642. 1063-7842. CODEN: ZTEFA3. TEPHEX. Language: eng. Year: 1995. Pub. Type: journal-article (J). Treatment: THEORETICAL OR MATHEMATICAL (T). Pub. Country: Russia. USA. Class. Code: A9260P. A5235P. A4720. A4765. Subject: electrohydrodynamics. interface-phenomena. lightning. plasma-instability. Rayleigh-Taylor-instability. Identifiers: ball lightning. unneutralized self-charge. electrohydrodynamic stability. spherical interface. immiscible fluids. Taylor instabilities. Rayleigh instabilities. dimensionless physical parameters. critical condition. interfacial capillary-wave instability onset. gravity. electric field. self-charge. Abstract: We investigate the electrohydrodynamic stability of the spherical interface between immiscible fluids against the Taylor and Rayleigh instabilities and obtain a functional relation between two dimensionless physical parameters that characterize the critical condition for the onset of the capillary-wave instability at the interface under the influence of gravity and in the electric field of the self-charge, respectively. UW Load Date: 9505. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 12 of 96 Accession No.: 4921927. Author: Amirov-A-Kh. Bychkov-V-L. Author Affil.: Inst. of High Temp., Acad. of Sci., Moscow, Russia. Title: Ball lightning diameter-lifetime statistical analysis of SKB databank. Source: Physica Scripta. vol.51, no.3. pp. 413-16. March 1995. References: 11 refs. ISSN: 0031-8949. CODEN: PHSTBO. Language: eng. Year: 1995. Pub. Type: journal-article (J). Treatment: EXPERIMENTAL (X). THEORETICAL OR MATHEMATICAL (T). Pub. Country: Sweden. Class. Code: A9260P. A0250. Subject: diameter-measurement. lightning. statistical-analysis. Identifiers: ball lightning. diameter statistical analysis. lifetime statistical analysis. SKB databank. regression analysis. radiation losses. Abstract: Revelation of the significance of diameter as a factor for the lifetime as a parameter for different ways of Ball Lightning (BL) disappearance has been made. Methods for non-parametric regression analysis have been applied for pairs diameter-radiation losses in correspondence to BL disappearance. BL diameter as a factor turned out to be significant for BL lifetime in the case of explosion and decay and insignificant in the case of extinction. Dependence logarithm of radiation losses-logarithm of BL volume obtained with the help of nonparametric regression treatment turned out to be different according to BL ways of disappearance. UW Load Date: 9504. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 13 of 96 Accession No.: 4863900. Author: Roth-J-R. Author Affil.: Dept. of Electr. & Comput. Eng., Tennessee Univ., Knoxville, TN, USA. Title: Ball lightning: What nature is trying to tell the plasma research community. Source: Published by: IEEE. New York, NY, USA. References: 5 refs. Conf. Title: IEEE Conference Record - Abstracts. 1993 IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science (Cat. No.93CH3334-0). Vancouver, BC, Canada. pp. 109. IEEE Nucl & Plasma Sci. Soc. Phys. Dept., Univ. British Columbia. 7-9 June 1993. ISBN: 0780313607. Language: eng. Pub. Type: conference-proceeding (C). Treatment: THEORETICAL OR MATHEMATICAL (T). Pub. Country: USA. Class. Code: A2852J. Subject: fusion-reactor-theory. lightning. Identifiers: plasma research. energy density. lightning balls. chemical energy storage. magnetic energy storage. plasma-related phenomenon. ball lightning. fusion research. confinement duration. industrial plasma engineering. glow discharge. atmospheric surface treatment. military applications. nonmaiming military antipersonnel weapon. Abstract: Summary form only given. The energy density of a few lightning balls has been observed to be as high as 20,000 joules per cubic centimeter, well above the limit of chemical energy storage of, for example, TNT at 2000 joules per cubic centimeter. This suggests magnetic energy storage in a plasma-related phenomenon, which should be of great theoretical and practical interest to the plasma research community. If the physical processes responsible for ball lightning were understood, this would have very interesting implications for fusion research (because of their long confinement duration, high energy density, and ability to operate at one atmosphere); for industrial plasma engineering (because of their ability to exist for long durations as a glow discharge at one atmosphere, and provide active species for atmospheric surface treatment of materials); and for military applications (because of the observed ability of ball lightning to cause stunning and death), and perhaps provide a nonlethal and nonmaiming military antipersonnel weapon, as well as a potential form of portable electromagnetic pulse to distable sophisticated electronic weapons. UW Load Date: 9502. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 14 of 96 Accession No.: 4857516. Title: International Conference on Plasma Sciences (ICOPS). Source: Published by: IEEE. New York, NY, USA. 250 pp. Conf. Title: International Conference on Plasma Sciences (ICOPS). Vancouver, BC, Canada. IEEE Nucl & Plasma Sci. Soc. Phys. Dept., Univ. British Columbia. 7-9 June 1993. ISBN: 0780313607. Language: eng. Pub. Type: conference-proceeding (C). Treatment: GENERAL OR REVIEW (R). Pub. Country: USA. Class. Code: A0130C. A5250J. A5270. A2852J. B1350. B3120G. B2315. Subject: electron-beams. fusion-reactor-design. fusion-reactors. ion-beams. lighting. lightning. microwave-devices. plasma-devices. plasma-diagnostics. plasma-production. plasma-production-by-laser. plasma-switches. Identifiers: intense electron beams. environmental science. EM launches. ion beams. vacuum electronics. laser-produced plasmas. plasma phenomena. energy. space plasmas. magnetic fusion. plasma processing. beam microwaves. ball lightning. spherical plasma configurations. magnetohydrodynamics. gaseous electronics. electrical gas discharges. ultrafast Z-pinches. X-ray lasers. microwave-plasma interactions. plasma diagnostics. fast-opening switches. computational plasma science. ETH launchers. fast wave M/W devices. plasma focus. solid-state plasmas. lighting. Abstract: The following topics are dealt with: intense electron and ion beams; vacuum electronics, laser-produced plasmas; basic plasma phenomena; environmental and energy issues; space plasmas; magnetic fusion; plasma processing; intense beam microwaves; ball lightning and spherical plasma configurations; magnetohydrodynamics; gaseous electronics and electrical gas discharges; ultrafast Z-pinches and X-ray lasers; microwave-plasma interactions; plasma diagnostics; fast-opening switches; computational plasma science; EM and ETH launchers; fast wave M/W devices; plasma focus; solid-state plasmas and switches; plasmas for lighting. UW Load Date: 9501. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 15 of 96 Accession No.: 4833277. Author: Smirnov-B-M. Strizhev-A-Ju. Author Affil.: Inst. of High Temp., Acad. of Sci., Moscow, Russia. Title: Analysis of observational ball lightning by correlation methods. Source: Physica Scripta. vol.50, no.5. pp. 606-8. Nov. 1994. References: 11 refs. ISSN: 0031-8949. CODEN: PHSTBO. Language: eng. Year: 1994. Pub. Type: journal-article (J). Treatment: THEORETICAL OR MATHEMATICAL (T). Pub. Country: Sweden. Class. Code: A9260P. Subject: lightning. Identifiers: observational ball lightning. correlation methods. indoors. outdoors. correlation analysis. Abstract: The distributions of observational ball lightning indoors and outdoors on some parameters are compared on the basis of methods of correlation analysis. UW Load Date: 9412. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 16 of 96 Accession No.: 4833275. Author: Bychkov-V-L. Author Affil.: Inst. of High Temp., Acad. of Sci., Moscow, Russia. Title: Polymer ball lightning model. Source: Physica Scripta. vol.50, no.5. pp. 591-9. Nov. 1994. References: 33 refs. ISSN: 0031-8949. CODEN: PHSTBO. Language: eng. Year: 1994. Pub. Type: journal-article (J). Treatment: THEORETICAL OR MATHEMATICAL (T). Pub. Country: Sweden. Class. Code: A9260P. A9260Q. A0555. A3520B. A4660. A3620C. Subject: fractals. lightning. macromolecules. molecular-configurations. polymers. rheology. thunderstorms. Identifiers: polymer molecules. polymer ball lightning model. structure. polymer net. fractal properties. rheologic properties. dielectric properties. electrostatic energy discharges. thunderstorms. Abstract: A theoretical model of ball lightning (BL) is presented. According to this model the BL is an aggregate of polymer molecules. These macromolecules are interknitted or sewed together, and therefore the structure is a polymer net with the corresponding rheologic and fractal properties. Because of the dielectric properties such BL can accumulate and store large amounts of the electrostatic energy discharges of thunderstorms. The theory gives a reasonable agreement with observational values of the formation time, stored energy and the life time. It also explains some rheological BL properties, form and the appearance from "nowhere". UW Load Date: 9412. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 17 of 96 Accession No.: 4833274. Author: Amirov-A-Kh. Bychkov-V-L. Author Affil.: Inst. of High Temp., Acad. of Sci., Moscow, Russia. Title: ANOVA of the parameters of ball lightning from the SKB data bank in correspondence to its location (indoors/outdoors). Source: Physica Scripta. vol.50, no.5. pp. 588-90. Nov. 1994. References: 8 refs. ISSN: 0031-8949. CODEN: PHSTBO. Language: eng. Year: 1994. Pub. Type: journal-article (J). Pub. Country: Sweden. Class. Code: A9260P. Subject: lightning. Identifiers: variance analysis. ball lightning parameters. Stakhanov-Bychkov-Keul data bank. indoor location. outdoor location. diameter. lifetime. radiation power. colour. Abstract: Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of several parameters from the Stakhanov-Bychkov-Keul data bank on ball lightning (BL) has been made. The results show that the factor of the BL location (indoors/outdoors) proves to be significant for such parameters as diameter, lifetime and the radiation power (in comparison with the power of an incandescent lamp); the distribution of BL by colour does not depend on its location. UW Load Date: 9412. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 18 of 96 Accession No.: 4751760. Author: Mayorov-S-A. Tkachev-A-N. Yakovlenko-S-I. Author Affil.: Inst. of Gen. Phys., Acad. of Sci., Moscow, Russia. Title: Metastable supercooled plasma. Source: Uspekhi Fizicheskii Nauk. vol.164, no.3. pp. 297-307. March 1994. References: 22 refs. Trans. Title: Physics-Uspekhi. vol.37, no.3. pp. 279-88. March 1994. ISSN: 0042-1294. 1063-7869. CODEN: UFNAAG. PHUSEY. Language: eng. Year: 1994. Pub. Type: journal-article (J). Treatment: THEORETICAL OR MATHEMATICAL (T). Pub. Country: Russia. UK. Class. Code: A5265. A5225K. Subject: ab-initio-calculations. entropy. ionisation. plasma-simulation. supercooling. thermodynamic-properties. Identifiers: metastable supercooled plasma. computer ab initio simulation. analytical theory. nonergodic properties. classical Coulomb plasma. review. many-charged-particle system simulation. ionisation. entropy conservation. isolated Hamiltonian systems. stochastic action. classical mechanics. plasma ionisation degree. thermodynamic considerations. plasmoid. ball lightning. Abstract: The computer ab initio simulation and analytical theory that revealed unexpected nonergodic properties in a classical Coulomb plasma are reviewed. The results of a many-charged-particle system simulation predict the possible existence of a real metastable plasma, supercooled with respect to its degree of ionisation. The existence of such a plasma state is a consequence of the entropy conservation in isolated Hamiltonian systems free from any stochastic action from outside. The occurrence of a metastable supercooled plasma-similar to a supercooled vapour or superheated liquid-depends on two conditions. Firstly, all the charged particles should behave exactly according to the laws of classical mechanics (hence, most negatively-charged particles should preferably be heavy ions). Secondly, the plasma ionisation degree should be sufficiently high ( alpha >10/sup -3/). It is shown from thermodynamic considerations that a mixture of a supercooled plasma with an ideal gas might form a plasmoid of the ball lightning type. UW Load Date: 9410. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 19 of 96 Accession No.: 4729592. Author: Amirov-A-Kh. Bychkov-V-L. Author Affil.: Inst. of High Temp., Acad. of Sci., Moscow, Russia. Title: ANOVA of several parameters of the SKB data bank on ball lightning. Source: Physica Scripta. vol.50, no.1. pp. 93-6. July 1994. References: 7 refs. ISSN: 0031-8949. CODEN: PHSTBO. Language: eng. Year: 1994. Pub. Type: journal-article (J). Treatment: THEORETICAL OR MATHEMATICAL (T). Pub. Country: Sweden. Class. Code: A9260P. Subject: lightning. Identifiers: SKB data bank. ball lightning. ANOVA. Stakhanov-Keul-Bychkov data bank. diameter. lifetime. parameters. Abstract: Revelation of the significance factors ball lightning (BL) color and way of disappearance for parameters BL diameter and BL lifetime was made. The information used in the analysis was from the Stakhanov-Keul-Bychkov data bank on ball lightning. The factor BL color turned out to be insignificant for the parameters BL lifetime and BL diameter while the factor BL way of disappearance was significant for them. UW Load Date: 9409. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 20 of 96 Accession No.: 4723148. Author: Handel-P-H. Leitner-J-F. Author Affil.: Dept. of Phys. & Astron., Missouri Univ., St. Louis, MO, USA. Title: Development of the maser-caviton ball lightning theory. Source: Journal of Geophysical Research. vol.99, no.D5. pp. 10689-91. 20 May 1994. References: 9 refs. Conf. Title: Ninth International Conference on Atmospheric Electricity (ICAE). St. Petersburg, Russia. 15-19 June 1992. ISSN: 0148-0227. CODEN: JGREA2. Language: eng. Year: 1994. Pub. Type: conference-proceeding (C). Treatment: THEORETICAL OR MATHEMATICAL (T). Report No.: CCCC: 0148-0227/94/93JD-01021$05.00. Pub. Country: USA. Class. Code: A9260P. Subject: lightning. masers. Identifiers: maser-caviton ball lightning theory. photon number evolution. single-mode maser. atmospheric maser. localized high-field soliton. plasma. VHF energy. electric field pulse. electrically shielded enclosures. electrostatic explosion. motion. buoyancy. maser spiking phenomena. Abstract: The maser-caviton ball lightning theory is briefly described, is compared with the available observations of ball lightning, and is further developed on the basis of the rate equations governing the evolution of the photon number in a single-mode maser. The focus of this paper is on the explosive growth of the photon number at the premature demise of a large atmospheric maser. Ball lightning is a localized high-field soliton forming a cavity surrounded by plasma in this theory. The source of VHF energy is a large atmospheric maser occupying a volume of several cubic miles for the case of open air ball lightning, and occupying the volume of the room in electrically shielded confined ball lightning cases. The main, well-known features of ball lightning, including its appearance immediately after a strong electric field pulse usually caused by lightning, its passage through closed windows and other dielectrics, its always harmless existence in electrically shielded (e.g. metallic) enclosures, without the possibility of electrostatic-explosive demise, its total absence in the vicinity of high peaks or lightning observation stations, as well as the resonant character of its positioning and motion with respect to conducting bodies, and its apparent lack of buoyancy in the air can all be explained consistently with this theory. The explosive demise of open air ball lightning is described in terms of maser spiking phenomena with the help of elementary equations. UW Load Date: 9408. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 21 of 96 Accession No.: 4718161. Author: Golka-R-K-Jr. Author Affil.: Golka Assoc., Brockton, MA, USA. Title: Laboratory-produced ball lightning. Source: Journal of Geophysical Research. vol.99, no.D5. pp. 10679-81. 20 May 1994. References: 8 refs. Conf. Title: Ninth International Conference on Atmospheric Electricity (ICAE). St. Petersburg, Russia. 15-19 June 1992. ISSN: 0148-0227. CODEN: JGREA2. Language: eng. Year: 1994. Pub. Type: conference-proceeding (C). Treatment: EXPERIMENTAL (X). Report No.: CCCC: 0148-0227/94/93JD-03579$05.00. Pub. Country: USA. Class. Code: A9260P. A5290. A5280. Subject: discharges-electric. lightning. plasma. Identifiers: atmosphere electricity. laboratory-produced. ball lightning. laboratory experiment. high current. cavity-formed plasmode. microwave oven. Abstract: For 25 years the author has actively been searching for the true nature of ball lightning and attempting to reproduce it at will in the laboratory. As one might expect, many unidentified lights in the atmosphere have been called ball lightning, including Texas Maffa lights (automobile headlights), flying saucers (UFOs), swamp gas in Ann Arbor, Michigan, etc. For 15 years the author thought ball lightning was strictly a high-voltage phenomenon. It was not until 1984 when he was short-circuiting the electrical output of a diesel electric railroad locomotive that he realized that the phenomenon was related more to a high current. Although he is hoping for some other types of ball lightning to emerge such as strictly electrostatic-electromagnetic manifestations, he has been unlucky in finding laboratory provable evidence. Cavity-formed plasmodes can be made by putting a 2-inch burning candle in a home kitchen microwave oven. The plasmodes float around for as long as the microwave energy is present. UW Load Date: 9408. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 22 of 96 Accession No.: 4703426. Title: Ninth International Conference on Atmospheric Electricity (ICAE). Source: Journal of Geophysical Research. vol.99, no.D5. 20 May 1994. Conf. Title: Ninth International Conference on Atmospheric Electricity (ICAE). St. Petersburg, Russia. 15-19 June 1992. ISSN: 0148-0227. CODEN: JGREA2. Language: eng. Year: 1994. Pub. Type: conference-proceeding (C). Pub. Country: USA. Class. Code: A0130C. A9260Q. A9260P. Subject: atmospheric-electricity. lightning. thunderstorms. Identifiers: surface layer. charge. ice. thunderstorms. lightning. ball lightning. mobility. Abstract: The following topics were dealt with: surface layer, charge, ice, thunderstorms, lightning, ball lightning, mobility. UW Load Date: 9407. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 23 of 96 Accession No.: 4701809. Author: Gaidukov-N-I. Title: Steady-state motion of the ball lighting observed by M.T. Dmitriev at the Onega River. Source: Zhurnal Tekhnicheskoi Fiziki. vol.64, no.2. pp. 38-48. Feb. 1994. References: 15 refs. Trans. Title: Technical Physics. vol.39, no.2. pp. 137-42. Feb. 1994. ISSN: 0044-4642. 1063-7842. CODEN: ZTEFA3. TEPHEX. Language: eng. Year: 1994. Pub. Type: journal-article (J). Treatment: THEORETICAL OR MATHEMATICAL (T). Pub. Country: Russia. USA. Class. Code: A9260P. A9330G. Subject: electric-charge. electrostatics. lightning. magnetic-fields. Identifiers: steady-state motion. ball lighting. Onega River. electric charge. electrostatic attraction. Stokes force. wind. magnetic field orientation. Russia. Abstract: The unique and well-known observation of motion of ball lightning by Prof. M.T. Dmitriev and the Onega River can be described by a fairly simple system of equations. Certain simplifying assumptions are used in the construction of this system. This system of equations leads an estimate of the electric charge in ball lightning moving under the influence of electrostatic attraction and the Stokes force created by wind. This system of equations also yields the orientation of the magnetic field of the ball lightning. UW Load Date: 9407. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 24 of 96 Accession No.: 4701764. Author: Gaidukov-N-I. Author Affil.: Pedagogical Inst., Orekhovo-Zuevo, Russia. Title: Equations of motion of ball lightning in the magnetic field of a hanging conductor. Source: Zhurnal Tekhnicheskoi Fiziki. vol.63, no.10. pp. 20-9. Oct. 1993. References: 18 refs. Trans. Title: Technical Physics. vol.38, no.10. pp. 844-8. Oct. 1993. ISSN: 0044-4642. 1063-7842. CODEN: ZTEFA3. TEPHEX. Language: eng. Year: 1993. Pub. Type: journal-article (J). Treatment: THEORETICAL OR MATHEMATICAL (T). Pub. Country: Russia. USA. Class. Code: A9260P. Subject: lightning. magnetic-field-effects. magnetic-fields. Identifiers: equations of motion. ball lightning. external magnetic field. hanging conductor. high-velocity air flow. rolling. Abstract: Observations of the motion of ball lightning in high-velocity air flow and observations of the "rolling" of ball lightning along a conductor are used to determine the configuration of the magnetic field of the ball lightning. The equations of motion of ball lightning in an external magnetic field are constructed. UW Load Date: 9407. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 25 of 96 Accession No.: 4696811. Author: Gaidukov-N-I. Author Affil.: Pedagogical Inst., Orekhovo-Zuevo, Russia. Title: Hydrodynamic model of the interaction of ball lightning with the airstream of an aircraft in flight. Source: Zhurnal Tekhnicheskoi Fiziki. vol.63, no.9. pp. 16-25. Sept. 1993. References: 22 refs. Trans. Title: Technical Physics. vol.38, no.9. pp. 747-51. Sept. 1993. ISSN: 0044-4642. 1063-7842. CODEN: ZTEFA3. TEPHEX. Language: eng. Year: 1993. Pub. Type: journal-article (J). Treatment: THEORETICAL OR MATHEMATICAL (T). Report No.: CCCC: 1063-7842/93/090747-05$10.00. Pub. Country: Russia. USA. Class. Code: A9260P. Subject: atmospheric-movements. hydrodynamics. lightning. Identifiers: large-radius ball lightning. airstream. aircraft in flight. hydrodynamic model. equations of motion. Abstract: Observations of the motion of large-radius ball lightning in the airstreams of moving aircraft are used to determine its equations of motion for a specially selected model, so that its behavior can be investigated in various special cases encountered in real environments. These equations have applications in describing the interaction of lightning with the airstream of an aircraft and in establishing flight regimes that will ensure flight safety when an aircraft encounters ball lightning of large radius. UW Load Date: 9407. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 26 of 96 Accession No.: 4678293. Author: Alanakyan-Yu-R. Title: Energy capacity of an electromagnetic vortex in the atmosphere. Source: Zhurnal Eksperimental'noi i Teoreticheskoi Fiziki. vol.105, no.3. pp. 601-13. March 1994. References: 16 refs. Trans. Title: Journal of Experimental and Theoretical Physics. vol.78, no.3. pp. 320-6. March 1994. ISSN: 0044-4510. 1063-7761. CODEN: ZETFA7. JTPHES. Language: eng. Year: 1994. Pub. Type: journal-article (J). Treatment: THEORETICAL OR MATHEMATICAL (T). Report No.: CCCC: 1063-7761/94/030320-07$10.00. Pub. Country: Russia. USA. Class. Code: A5230. A9260P. Subject: lightning. plasma-flow. Identifiers: electromagnetic vortex. atmosphere. energy capacity. self-localization. plasma. unneutralized charges. high-frequency field. positively charged solid object. hydrodynamic vortex. momentum transfer. ball lightning. Abstract: The self-localization of an electromagnetic vortex is investigated under conditions such that partial charge separation occurs in the plasma that forms near the vortex: outside the vortex there is an excess of electrons and inside it there is an excess of positive charges. It is shown that the presence of unneutralized charges increases the energy content of the vortex without increasing the energy dissipation of the high-frequency field in the plasma. The lifetime of the vortex can thereby be substantially increased. A mechanism is examined for confining a positively charged solid object in the interior of the vortex. This body serves as ballast and can retard the buoyant rise of the vortex in the atmosphere. The question of the formation of a hydrodynamic vortex at the periphery of an electromagnetic vortex by transfer of momentum from a high-frequency field to the surrounding medium is discussed; this affects the nature of the motion of the vortex in a free atmosphere. It is shown that the properties of the vortex are consistent with some of the properties of ball lightning. UW Load Date: 9406. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 27 of 96 Accession No.: 4675921. Author: Turner-D-J. Author Affil.: Interface Anal. Centre, Bristol Univ., UK. Title: The structure and stability of ball lightning. Source: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, Series A (Physical Sciences and Engineering). vol.347, no.1682. pp. 83-111. 15 April 1994. References: 33 refs. ISSN: 0962-8428. Language: eng. Year: 1994. Pub. Type: journal-article (J). Treatment: THEORETICAL OR MATHEMATICAL (T). Pub. Country: UK. Class. Code: A9260P. Subject: lightning. plasma. Identifiers: ball lightning. stability. structure. shape. size range. brightness. motion. energy content. central plasma core. high-energy ion recombination. hydrated ions. hydration zone. thermochemical refrigeration. Abstract: The main characteristics of ball lightning are well established. They include its general appearance (shape, size range, brightness, etc.), its peculiar motion and, less satisfactorily, its energy content. A remarkably consistent picture emerges from the thousands of detailed descriptions which are now available. There is, however, no such consistency in the various hypotheses that have been put forward to explain ball lightning. The only thing most of them share is an ability to explain a few aspects of the phenomenon at the expense of physically impossible requirements in other areas. A model is described of a central plasma core surrounded by a cooler, intermediate zone, in which recombination of most or all of the high-energy ions takes place. Further out is a zone in which temperatures are low enough for any ions present to become extensively hydrated. Hydrated ions can also form spontaneously in the inner, hotter, parts of this hydration zone. Near the surface of the ball is a region, quite essential to the model, in which thermochemical refrigeration can take place. UW Load Date: 9406. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 28 of 96 Accession No.: 4670300. Author: Smirnov-B-M. Author Affil.: Inst. of High Temp., Moscow, Russia. Title: Gasdynamics of a fractal ball. Source: Zhurnal Tekhnicheskoi Fiziki. vol.63, no.4. pp. 190-3. April 1993. References: 16 refs. Trans. Title: Technical Physics. vol.38, no.4. pp. 359-60. April 1993. ISSN: 0044-4642. 1063-7842. CODEN: ZTEFA3. TEPHEX. Language: eng. Year: 1993. Pub. Type: journal-article (J). Treatment: THEORETICAL OR MATHEMATICAL (T). Report No.: CCCC: 1063-7842/93/040359-02$10.00. Pub. Country: Russia. USA. Class. Code: A4740D. A9260P. Subject: aggregation. drag. fluid-dynamics. fractals. lightning. Identifiers: gas dynamics. connected material. fractal ball. fractal cluster. entangled fractal fibers. expansion. weakly ionized vapor. condensation. solid particles. fractal aggregates. external electric field. ball lightning. surface tension. viscous layer. interface. Reynolds number. kinematical viscosity. Stokes formula. drag force. movement. air. Abstract: A fractal cluster is a system of entangled fractal fibers. This object is formed in a gas as a result of laser or electrical discharge action on a surface. The expansion of the weakly ionized vapor that is formed, which is accompanied by the condensation of the vapor on the ions, leads to the formation of solid particles that then join into fractal aggregates. The latter, in turn, under the action of an external electric field, then join into fractal fibers, out of which are formed the fractal clusters. A physical object that has the structure of a fractal cluster is ball lightning. The gasdynamics of ball lightning has been studied thoroughly by N.I. Gaidukov (1989). Without specifying in detail the structure of ball lightning, he assumed that the material of ball lightning is connected like a liquid, so that it can be characterized by a surface tension. Moreover, the molecules of air do not attach to it. Using this model, Gaidukov was able to describe a large number of effects associated with ball lightning: its passage through small holes and slits and its capture by the trail of airplanes or helicopters. In the next stage of the investigations, by analyzing the effects associated with the sighting of ball lightning, Gaidukov pointed out that to explain these effects it would be necessary to postulate the absence of a viscous layer at the interface between the ball lightning and the air. The authors formulate this result by another means. They introduce the Reynolds number Re=Rv/ nu , where nu =0.16 cm/sup 2//s is the kinematical viscosity of the air. For low Reynolds numbers the Stokes formula is valid, which gives C=6/Re. At large Reynolds numbers the parameter C approximately 1 depends only weakly on the Reynolds number. The conclusion of Gaidukov in this terminology reduces to the statement that the parameter C for ball lightning does not depend on the Reynolds number even when that number is small. The article presents calculations of the drag force experienced by a fractal cluster in its movement through the air. The expression obtained supports Gaidukov's conclusion. UW Load Date: 9406. ---- End of Citation ---- Citation: 29 of 96 Accession No.: 4655067. Author: Gaidukov-N-I. Author Affil.: Pedagogical Inst., Moscow, Russia. Title: Magnetic field of ball lightning. Source: Teplofizika Vysokikh Temperatur. vol.31, no.6. pp. 1038. Nov.-Dec. 1993. Trans. Title: High Temperature. vol.31, no.6. pp. 954. Nov.-Dec. 1993. ISSN: 0040-3644. 0018-151X. CODEN: TVYTAP. HITEA4. Language: eng. Year: 1993. Pub. Type: journal-article (J). Treatment: THEORETICAL OR MATHEMATICAL (T). Pub. Country: Russia. USA. Class. Code: A9260P. Subject: geomagnetism. lightning. Identifiers: ball lightning. atmospheric flows. magnetic induction vector. spherical coordinates. plasma object. thermodynamic object. cylindrical coordinate system. electrodynamic forces. drift motion. intrinsic electromagnetic field. charge density. magnetization. Abstract: Summary form only given. Analysis of the data on experimentally observed motion of a ball lightning in various atmospheric flows of air and its "rolling" along a conductor with current helped establish the presence of a magnetic field of the lightning. The components of the magnetic induction vector of this field inside and outside the lightning are determined in the spherical coordinates by the expressions B/sub r/=B/sub 0/cos theta , B/sub theta /=-B/sub 0/sin theta , 0