researchers from National Institute for Space Research (Inpe) released beautiful images of a set of lightning rod act during a storm in San Jose dos Campos in Sao Paulo.
The discharges were recorded using high-speed, high-resolution cameras and the conclusions reached by the scientists based on the photos were published in the journal Geophysics research letters.
The researchers used a camera that captures 40,000 images per second;
They were 150 meters from the rays;
31 discharges were identified;
Some lightning has struck structures such as chimneys, ripping off chunks of masonry;
The researchers believe the images show the importance of safety equipment in buildings.
How does it work?
The basis of lightning rod technology is simple, although there are modern systems that involve multiple pieces of equipment. Generally it is a copper or aluminum rod placed at the highest point of a structure, with wires that connect to the ground.
When lightning strikes the structure, it passes through the rod and travels along the wires to the ground, protecting the building from electric shock. But 1 millisecond after reaching the tip of the equipment, the spark, which has a negative discharge, connects with a positive discharge that builds from the bottom up.
In the video it is possible to see that, as soon as the lightning starts to descend, several lightning rods act simultaneously, emitting an upward discharge, to connect with the descending one.
Watch the moment recorded by INPE researchers:
Scientists warn of the importance of having lightning protection devices installed in buildings. They were able to identify a discharge that occurred in a chimney of the rooftop barbecue, tearing apart a piece of the structure.
“Anyone in an open area can launch a connection bolt upwards, from the head or shoulders, and be injured by lightning, even if they are not directly struck by it,” said Marcelo Saba, researcher INPE senior and author of the study.