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Ball Lightning Study This document is made available through the declassification efforts and research of John Greenewald, Jr., creator of: The Black Vault The Black Vault is the largest online Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) document clearinghouse in the world. The research efforts here are responsible for the declassification of hundreds of thousands of pages released by the U.S. Government & Military. Discover the Truth at: http://www.theblackvault.com AFRL-PR-ED-TR-2002-0039 AFRL-PR-ED-TR-2002-0039 Ball Lightning Study Eric W. Davis Warp Drive Metrics 4849 San Rafael Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89120 May 2003 Final Report ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Distribution Statement Removed - Releasable ----------- Copy ---------- --------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------- DESTRUCTION NOTICE – Destroy by any method that will prevent disclosure of contents or reconstruction of the document. AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY AIR FORCE MATERIEL COMMAND EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE CA 93524-7048 Form Approved REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE OMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing this collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports (0704-0188), 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS. 1. REPORT DATE (DD-MM-YYYY) 2. REPORT TYPE 3.DATES COVERED (From - To) 24 February 2003 Final April 2002 – October 2002 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER Ball Lightning Study 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 62203F 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 4847 Eric W. Davis 5e. TASK NUMBER 0159 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 549907 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO. WarpAND ADDRESS(ES) Drive Metrics 4849 San Rafael Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89120 AFRL-PR-ED-TR-2002-0039 9. SPONSORING / MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S) Air Force Research Laboratory (AFMC) AFRL/PRSP 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT 10 E. Saturn Blvd. NUMBER(S) Edwards AFB CA 93524-7680 AFRL-PR-ED-TR-2002-0039 12. DISTRIBUTION / AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Distribution authorized to US Go vernment agencies only; Critical Technology; May 2003. Other requests for this document shall be referred to AFRL/PRSP 10 E. Saturn Blvd., Edwards AFB CA 93523-7680. 13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES Performed for ERC, Inc., Air Force Research Laboratory, Bldg. 8424, Rm. 103, 3 Antares Rd. Edwards AFB, CA 93524 14. ABSTRACT This study was tasked with the purpose of conducting a major literature review of the ball lightning phenomenon to explore the observations, experimental tests, and theories. The best ideas and tests were segregated for further analysis and are summarized in this report. A combined bibliography of references was assembled and is presented. The focus of this study was to review and analyze the axially symmetric force-free time-harmonic plasmoid model developed by Nachamkin (1992) for a previous Air Force Research Laboratory study. The intent of the Nachamkin model was to bring together a unique blend of properties proposed by investigators exploring the genre of microwave plasmoid resonance ball lightning models. The main goal of this study is to evaluate and propose experiments to demonstrate the generation of axially symmetric force-free plasmoid ball lightning in the laboratory. Two key experiments were identified and discussed in the report with enough detail to form the basis of future research proposals. An investigation was also conducted into additional promising theories and experiments that might lead to generating ball lightning plasmoids in the lab. Three alternative ball lightning concepts similar to axially symmetric force-free time-harmonic plasmoids were identified and evaluated for their experimental potential, and are described in the report in detail as proposed experiments. The first new concept is the atmospheric maser caviton, the second concept is based on electromagnetic vortex plasmoids generated by micro-discharge devices and sustained by quantum vacuum energy, and the third concept is a-------- -----------------------------b3 10 USC 130 program the Air Force funded in the 1950s-60s. 15. SUBJECT TERMS ball lightning; Nachamkin model; microwave; plasmoid resonance; axially symmetric; force-free; atmospheric maser caviton; electromagnetic vortex plasmoids 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION 18. NUMBER 19a. NAME OF OF ABSTRACT OF PAGES RESPONSIBLE PERSON Franklin B. Mead Jr. a. REPORT b. ABSTRACT c. THIS PAGE 19b. TELEPHONE NO (include area code) B 70 (661) 275-5929 Unclassified Unclassified Unclassified Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98) Prescribed by ANSI Std. 239.18 NOTICE When U.S. Government drawings, specifications, or other data are used for any purpose other than a definitely related Government procurement operation, the fact that the Government may have formulated, furnished, or in any way supplied the said drawings, specifications, or other data, is not to be regarded by implication or otherwise, or in any way licensing the holder or any other person or corporation, or conveying any rights or permission to manufacture, use or sell any patented invention that may be related thereto. FOREWORD This special technical report, entitled “Ball Lightning Study,” presents the results of an in-house study performed under JON 48470159 by AFRL/PRSP, Edwards AFB CA. The Principal Investigator/Project Manager for the Air Force Research Laboratory was Dr. Frank Mead. This report has been reviewed and is approved for release and distribution in accordance with the distribution statement on the cover and on the SF Form 298. -------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Distribution Statement Removed - Releasable Copy ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- This Page Intentionally Left Blank Table of Contents List of Figures and Tables ............................................................................................................ iv Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................... v Glossary...................................................................................................................................... vi Preface........................................................................................................................................ vii Chapter 1 – Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 2 – Observations and Properties ....................................................................................... 3 2.1 Observational Properties and Definition............................................................................. 3 2.2 Inferred Properties............................................................................................................ 4 Chapter 3 – Ball Lightning Theories and Experiments.................................................................... 6 3.1 Phenomenological Models ................................................................................................ 6 3.1.1 Ball Lightning Formation Models ............................................................................. 7 3.2 Ball Lightning Models: Driven by an Internal Energy Source.............................................. 8 3.2.1 Heated Sphere of Air ............................................................................................... 8 3.2.2 Chemical Reaction of Air Components ..................................................................... 8 3.2.3 Electrostatic Charging of Air Impurities.................................................................... 8 3.2.4 Ions ........................................................................................................................ 9 3.2.5 Plasmoid and Plasma Vortex Ring ............................................................................ 9 3.2.6 Microwave Radiation Powered Models ..................................................................... 10 3.3 Ball Lightning Models: Driven by an External Energy Source............................................. 10 3.3.1 Direct Current Discharge ......................................................................................... 11 3.3.2 Microwave Plasmoid Resonance Models .................................................................. 11 Chapter
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