Could we one day control the path of lightning?

Experiments show that electric discharges follow certain laser beams

Lightning path remains unpredictable, but at a smaller scale, discharges between two electrodes can be guided by laser beams. Scientists have discovered a way to guide electric discharges — and even steer them around obstacles — through the clever use of lasers.

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Of course this is possible, but I didn’t expect it, most lasers are nowhere near powerful enough for this. I’d like to see images of this in operation.

I did similar things in the physics lab at uni, using a focussed ruby laser to ionise the air.

Would it be worth it?

dv said:

Would it be worth it?

If lighting could be directed by lasers to a storage medium it would be worth it.

I’d like to know why lightning changes direction in air, does it hit a few electrons and gets bumped to a new path?

CrazyNeutrino said:

dv said:

Would it be worth it?

If lighting could be directed by lasers to a storage medium it would be worth it.

I’d like to know why lightning changes direction in air, does it hit a few electrons and gets bumped to a new path?

I’ve never seen lightning go from clouds to ground in a straight path.

not quite of what you’re on about maybe, but one research place has been shooting rockets into clouds (with a wire attached maybe) for a long time(decades possibly) to study lightning, and have seen footage of the lightning coming down the rocket trails.

To some extent preferential conductors/lightning conductors lend some control over lightning, but it’s not really what you’re on about likely.

transition said:

not quite of what you’re on about maybe, but one research place has been shooting rockets into clouds (with a wire attached maybe) for a long time(decades possibly) to study lightning, and have seen footage of the lightning coming down the rocket trails.

To some extent preferential conductors/lightning conductors lend some control over lightning, but it’s not really what you’re on about likely.

Yes I know about the wire rockets

the lasers are different

What sort of storage medium could handle lightening bolts

I actually thought is doing this type of thing about 30 years or so ago.

Spiny Norman said:

I actually thought is doing this type of thing about 30 years or so ago.

You are a bright spark

Cymek said:

Spiny Norman said:

I actually thought is doing this type of thing about 30 years or so ago.

You are a bright spark

Haven’t we had lightning conductors on buildings for hundreds of years?