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The Conversation USA

The Conversation USA

Lightning strikes link weather on Earth and weather in space

  • Written by Lauren Blum, Assistant Professor of Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado Boulder
imageLightning, when coupled with solar flares, can knock electrons flying above the Earth out of place. AP Photo/David Zalubowski

There are trillions of charged particles – protons and electrons, the basic building blocks of matter – whizzing around above your head at any given time. These high-energy particles, which can travel at close to...

Read more: Lightning strikes link weather on Earth and weather in space

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