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How do scientists study lightning? With a spy plane and some big storms

Lightning off the coast of the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean.
Bashaar Tarabay
/
Getty Images
Lightning off the coast of the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean.

Lightning: It happens all the time, and yet the exact details of how it's made has long eluded scientists. New research out this week in the journal Nature gives new insights into the precursor to lightning — and it has to do with gamma rays. Because gamma rays are found in places like neutron stars and around black holes, yes. But they're also found in thunderstorms!

Want to hear more stories about the science behind natural phenomena? Email us at shortwave@npr.org — we'd love to hear from you!

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This episode was produced by Hannah Chinn and Jason Fuller. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez and Brent Baughman. It was fact-checked by Tyler Jones. The audio engineer was J Czys.

Copyright 2024 NPR

Hannah Chinn
Emily Kwong (she/her) is the reporter for NPR's daily science podcast, Short Wave. The podcast explores new discoveries, everyday mysteries and the science behind the headlines — all in about 10 minutes, Monday through Friday.
Regina G. Barber
Regina G. Barber is Short Wave's Scientist in Residence. She contributes original reporting on STEM and guest hosts the show.
Juana Summers is a political correspondent for NPR covering race, justice and politics. She has covered politics since 2010 for publications including Politico, CNN and The Associated Press. She got her start in public radio at KBIA in Columbia, Mo., and also previously covered Congress for NPR.