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Ionization prior to lightning strike

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rick_ingram

rick_ingram

Yoda
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My wife, Jean, was taking of photo of a rainbow that appeared after a storm rolled through the area yesterday (9/20).

Just as she shot the photo, a lightning strike occurred.

The column has been explained to me as "ionization of water/air" just prior to the strike actually happening.

Personally, I think it looks as though Scotty is beaming someone up from Homer, IL (about 5 miles SE of me).

 Ionized pre-strike.jpg
 
WOW, now isn't that neat! In all my years I've never seen that happen and to catch it on a still shot must be one in a million! Your Misses should get an award for that! Really, that's how some of these famous photos are created. Thanks for sharing Rick, much appreciated! I would document the photo then preserve it. :encouragement: I'm amazed. PJ
 
I agree with Paul! One-in-a-million shot, worth some publicity if nothing else.
 
Wow, one in a million for sure.
 
Definitely a one in a million shot, and very, very cool.

I've been close enough to a lighting strike to hear the ionization, but not to see it. I was working as a "courtesy clerk" putting groceries in peoples cars (when groceries came in paper bags) during a thunderstorm. I was standing there and heard a "pop", which was probably the automatic doors at the entrance to the store frying, then my whole world went white, with the loudest and most instantaneous crash of thunder I've heard. Instinctively, I ducked and ran, until I realized that there was nothing to run from...the strike was over. A good chunk of the building's electrics were toasted in that strike.
 
If you're close enuff to smell th' ozone, yer too darn close! Yow!
 
Had a strike the next street over about a month ago.
The Misses and I were on the front porch.
Closest I want to be out doors to one.
I would have run inside in a hurry cept I had a wife PLASTERED to my chest!
 
Amazing shot.
 
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