5. St. Elmo’s Fire
For millennia, sailors and pilots have been fascinated by the St. Elmo’s Fire meteorological phenomena. Usually found at the tips of ship masts, aircraft wings, or other pointed constructions during thunderstorms, this phenomena seems as a bluish or violet glow. A strong electric field in the atmosphere produces a coronal discharge from a sharp or pointed object causing St. Elmo’s Fire. Though not a type of lightning itself, it is intimately associated with thunderstorms and can be a sign of approaching lightning strike. The phenomena is named for St. Erasmus of Formia, the patron saint of sailors who were long familiar with this enigmatic glow. Often seen as a favourable omen among sailors, St. Elmo’s Fire represents the presence of their patron saint and provides comfort during stormy weather. St. Elmo’s Fire still fascinates scientists and weather buffs both despite its lengthy history of observation. More thorough research of this phenomena made possible by technological developments has shed light on the electrical processes in the atmosphere during thunderstorms. Research of St. Elmo’s Fire advances our knowledge of atmospheric electricity and the factors for its occurrence. Although a lot of research has been done on the physical mechanisms behind St. Elmo’s Fire, it is still an amazing illustration of the intricate connections between the surface of Earth and its atmosphere.