atmospheric electricity

Definitions of atmospheric electricity

1. noun

   electrical discharges in the atmosphere
   types:

   elves

   an acronym for emissions of light and very low frequency perturbations due to electromagnetic pulse sources; extremely bright extremely short (less than a msec) electrical flashes forming a huge ring (up to 400 km diameter) in the ionosphere

   blue jet, jet, reverse lightning

   atmospheric discharges (lasting 10 msec) bursting from the tops of giant storm clouds in blue cones that widen as they flash upward

   lightning

   abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light

   red sprites, sprites

   atmospheric electricity (lasting 10 msec) appearing as globular flashes of red (pink to blood-red) light rising to heights of 60 miles (sometimes seen together with elves)

   chain lightning, forked lightning

   a form of lightning that moves rapidly in a zigzag path with one end divided (fork-like)

   bolt, bolt of lightning, thunderbolt

   a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder

   type of:

   electrical discharge

   a discharge of electricity

   atmospheric phenomenon

   a physical phenomenon associated with the atmosphere