7. Blue Lightning and Atmospheric Electricity
The worldwide atmospheric electrical circuit is strongly influenced by blue lightning. Between the surface of the Earth and the ionosphere—the electrically charged layer of the upper atmosphere—this circuit consists in the continuous passage of electrical current. By moving charge between several layers of the atmosphere, lightning—including blue lightning—helps to sustain this circuit.
Investigating blue lightning helps us to better grasp the distribution and balance of electrical energy in the Earth’s atmosphere. Applications ranging from the design of lightning protection systems to the creation of more exact climate models depend on this knowledge.