Current:Home > StocksScientists shoot lasers into the sky to deflect lightning -Mastery Money Tools
Scientists shoot lasers into the sky to deflect lightning
TrendPulse View
Date:2025-04-09 23:37:44
Lightning is estimated to cause up to 24,000 deaths globally each year. It starts forest fires, burns buildings and crops, and causes power outages. The best, most practical technology available to deflect lightning is the simple lightning rod, created by Benjamin Franklin over 250 years ago.
"This is the only method that is known to be efficient to protect against lightning," says Aurélien Houard, a physicist at École Polytechnique.
On the surface, this seems great — lightning is dangerous and humanity has lightning rods. But the area that a lightning rod can protect from dangerous strikes is very limited, roughly proportional to the rod height.
So, Aurélien and his multinational team of collaborators are working on a project called Laser Lightning Rod. The initiative is aimed at redirecting lightning using high-power lasers. The researchers hope it will one day be a 21st century alternative to the lightning rod. It's the first time scientists have successfully used lasers for lightning deflection.
To test their laser, researchers first had to identify a lightning prone area. Their target: a telecommunications tower atop a Swiss mountain. The tower is a prime candidate because it is struck by lightning roughly 100 times per year. Next, the team had to spend four months lugging up and assembling all the necessary laser equipment.
In the face of strong wind, rain, power outages and the general limitations of exact lightning strike prediction, researchers pursued their work. In the end, the laser was able to protect a 180 meter radius.
Listen to Short Wave on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.
Struck by a scientific question or story idea? Email the show at [email protected].
This episode was produced by Liz Metzger and Berly McCoy. It was edited by our supervising producer Rebecca Ramirez and fact-checked by Anil Oza. Gilly Moon was the audio engineer.
veryGood! (8669)
Related
- The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
- Survivor Season 44 Crowns Its Winner
- CBS News poll finds most say colleges shouldn't factor race into admissions
- iCarly Cast Recalls Emily Ratajkowski's Hilarious Cameo
- Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
- 'No violins': Michael J. Fox reflects on his career and life with Parkinson's
- Sample from Bryan Kohberger matches DNA found at Idaho crime scene, court documents say
- Addiction drug maker will pay more than $102 million fine for stifling competition
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- A Lesson in Economics: California School District Goes Solar with Storage
Ranking
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- Missing sub pilot linked to a famous Titanic couple who died giving lifeboat seats to younger passengers
- Psychedelic freedom with Tonya Mosley; plus, 'Monica' and ambiguous apologies
- College Baseball Player Angel Mercado-Ocasio Dead at 19 After Field Accident
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- U.S. Military Precariously Unprepared for Climate Threats, War College & Retired Brass Warn
- Some Utilities Want a Surcharge to Let the Sunshine In
- Long COVID scientists try to unravel blood clot mystery
Recommendation
Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
Exxon Pushes Back on California Cities Suing It Over Climate Change
Wildfires and Climate Change
America’s First Offshore Wind Farm to Start Construction This Summer
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
Britney Spears Reunites With Mom Lynne Spears After Conservatorship Battle
In some states, hundreds of thousands dropped from Medicaid
Offset Shares How He and Cardi B Make Each Other Better