BALL LIGHTNING

also called globe lightning aerial phenomenon that occurs as a moving luminous sphere several inches in diameter. It usually occurs near the ground during thunderstorms, may be red, orange, or yellow in colour, and is often accompanied by a hissing sound and distinct odour. It lasts only a few seconds and dies out suddenly, either silently or explosively. Ball lightning has been observed to cause damage by burning or melting. Its relation, if any, to common lightning is uncertain. Its causes are unknown, but among the explanations of ball lightning are the following: air or gas behaving abnormally; high-density plasma; an air vortex containing luminous gases; and microwave radiation within a plasma shell.