Uncommon or Rare Types of Lightning
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The most common type of lightning that are often observed during a bad thunderstorm are the "cloud-to-ground" and "cloud-to-cloud" types of lightning. According to the scientists, there are actually several uncommon types of lightning that they discovered which are rarely seen.
Here are the following uncommon or rare types of lightning that has been discovered by the scientists:
1. Bolt-from-the-blue
This type of lightning is also referred by some scientists as "Anvil Lightning" or "Anvil-to-ground Lightning". Its main characteristic is that, its electrical discharge starts from the highest portion of "cumulonimbus cloud". Then from the cloud, it will travel horizontally away from the occurring thunderstorm.
The most interesting characteristic of a "bolt-from-the-blue" lightning is that, it can actually reach significant distances. In fact, the lightning strike can reach out the unaffected areas of the thunderstorm flashing through the clear blue skies (the reason why they call it bolt-from-the-blue).
2. Cloud-to-air Lightning
When a "cloud-to-air" lightning takes place, its electrical discharge starts from the cloud then jumps off into the mid-air before it will disappear. And just like bolt-from-the-blue, it often originates from the side of the cumulonimbus clouds.
3. Bead Lightning
"Bead Lightning" isn't actually a type of lightning but a rare characteristic on the way how a certain lightning dissipate from the atmosphere. There are some rare instances that any type of lightning can dissipate in a way that the body breaks into segments.
4. Ribbon Lightning
Just like the bead lightning above, "ribbon" lightning is more of a characteristic of lightning because its occurrences are due to strong winds conditions. A powerful wind can actually influence an entire channel of a certain lightning causing it some horizontal displacement.
A similar case applies when you intend to capture a lightning with your hand-held camera on an environment with strong winds blowing around your surroundings. Due to the winds that affects your camera, the results of the lightning photograph that you captured may end up as a ribbon type of lightning.
5. Sheet Lightning
"Sheet" type of lightning occur in a similar way such as the intra-cloud, inter-cloud and other common types of lightning. But what exactly makes it unique and rare is that, it only occurs within the clouds or terrain. Due to this reason, it is impossible to observe it from the ground.
6. Ball Lightning
A "ball" lightning is a very rare lightning phenomena where a floating and illuminating ball of sphere appears during the thunderstorm. It's movement can be very unpredictable because it may either move fast, slow or even stay at a stationary position. Other than its illuminating form and movement, it also produces hissing or crackling noises. Unfortunately, it can only last for a few seconds to minutes. And once it disperse, it is usually accompanied by a loud bang.
Most individuals (who knows nothing about lightning) that encountered a ball lightning claims that they had just seen or witnessed a UFO sighting.
7. Upper Atmospheric Lightning
An "upper atmospheric lightning" is an electrical phenomenon that rarely occurs at a very high attitude (a much higher level than the common lightning) of a thunderstorm.
Upper atmospheric lightning is actually at the current stage of being observed and studied by the scientists. On their recent findings, they discovered sprites, jets and elves which are different kinds of upper atmospheric lightning.
Common among their characteristics is that, they are swift and faintly lit making them nearly invisible to the naked eye to observe.
8. Triggered Lightning
Not all kinds of lightning are caused by a thunderstorm. Lightning can also be caused by some other natural events such as a volcanic eruptions. This type of lightning is known as "triggered" lightning.
The most interesting fact about triggered lightning is that, rockets and flying aircrafts can now be used to trigger lightning from a thunderstorm to occur. According to some scientists, they will send a rocket (carrying spools of wire) up into the thunderstorm. Once the target has been reached, the wire unwinds providing the lightning its path. Other than rockets and flying aircrafts, lasers can also be used as a triggering device.
Moreover, some scientists claims there are other more uncommon or rare type of lightning that they have recently discovered especially in the outer space. But before giving them some identifications, they still need to conduct further observations for confirmation especially on how they form.
Here are the following uncommon or rare types of lightning that has been discovered by the scientists:
1. Bolt-from-the-blue
This type of lightning is also referred by some scientists as "Anvil Lightning" or "Anvil-to-ground Lightning". Its main characteristic is that, its electrical discharge starts from the highest portion of "cumulonimbus cloud". Then from the cloud, it will travel horizontally away from the occurring thunderstorm.
The most interesting characteristic of a "bolt-from-the-blue" lightning is that, it can actually reach significant distances. In fact, the lightning strike can reach out the unaffected areas of the thunderstorm flashing through the clear blue skies (the reason why they call it bolt-from-the-blue).
2. Cloud-to-air Lightning
When a "cloud-to-air" lightning takes place, its electrical discharge starts from the cloud then jumps off into the mid-air before it will disappear. And just like bolt-from-the-blue, it often originates from the side of the cumulonimbus clouds.
3. Bead Lightning
"Bead Lightning" isn't actually a type of lightning but a rare characteristic on the way how a certain lightning dissipate from the atmosphere. There are some rare instances that any type of lightning can dissipate in a way that the body breaks into segments.
4. Ribbon Lightning
Just like the bead lightning above, "ribbon" lightning is more of a characteristic of lightning because its occurrences are due to strong winds conditions. A powerful wind can actually influence an entire channel of a certain lightning causing it some horizontal displacement.
A similar case applies when you intend to capture a lightning with your hand-held camera on an environment with strong winds blowing around your surroundings. Due to the winds that affects your camera, the results of the lightning photograph that you captured may end up as a ribbon type of lightning.
5. Sheet Lightning
"Sheet" type of lightning occur in a similar way such as the intra-cloud, inter-cloud and other common types of lightning. But what exactly makes it unique and rare is that, it only occurs within the clouds or terrain. Due to this reason, it is impossible to observe it from the ground.
6. Ball Lightning
A "ball" lightning is a very rare lightning phenomena where a floating and illuminating ball of sphere appears during the thunderstorm. It's movement can be very unpredictable because it may either move fast, slow or even stay at a stationary position. Other than its illuminating form and movement, it also produces hissing or crackling noises. Unfortunately, it can only last for a few seconds to minutes. And once it disperse, it is usually accompanied by a loud bang.
Most individuals (who knows nothing about lightning) that encountered a ball lightning claims that they had just seen or witnessed a UFO sighting.
7. Upper Atmospheric Lightning
An "upper atmospheric lightning" is an electrical phenomenon that rarely occurs at a very high attitude (a much higher level than the common lightning) of a thunderstorm.
Upper atmospheric lightning is actually at the current stage of being observed and studied by the scientists. On their recent findings, they discovered sprites, jets and elves which are different kinds of upper atmospheric lightning.
Common among their characteristics is that, they are swift and faintly lit making them nearly invisible to the naked eye to observe.
8. Triggered Lightning
Not all kinds of lightning are caused by a thunderstorm. Lightning can also be caused by some other natural events such as a volcanic eruptions. This type of lightning is known as "triggered" lightning.
The most interesting fact about triggered lightning is that, rockets and flying aircrafts can now be used to trigger lightning from a thunderstorm to occur. According to some scientists, they will send a rocket (carrying spools of wire) up into the thunderstorm. Once the target has been reached, the wire unwinds providing the lightning its path. Other than rockets and flying aircrafts, lasers can also be used as a triggering device.
Moreover, some scientists claims there are other more uncommon or rare type of lightning that they have recently discovered especially in the outer space. But before giving them some identifications, they still need to conduct further observations for confirmation especially on how they form.
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