At the Speed of Lightning

Synopsis: Opens with a brief introduction to the history of lightning studies. Thundercloud formation and theories about the build up of charges are shown. Shows the French lightning study centre at Foudre in the Massif Centrale where there are more thunderstorms each year than anywhere else in France. Under controlled conditions, when a storm seems likely to discharge lightning, the researchers trigger the lightning by firing rockets into the clouds. The rockets carry a conductor wire which is attached to the ground. Shows the apparatus used to record lightning events triggered in this way.
Language: English
Country: France
Medium: Video; Film. 16mm. sd. col. 25 min.
Year of production: 1978
Availability: OUT OF DISTRIBUTION
Uses: Courses on atmospheric physics.*
Subjects: Physics
Keywords: clouds; France; lightning; meteorology; thunderstorms

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