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From: pmk@prometheus.UUCP (Paul M Koloc)
Newsgroups: net.physics
Subject: Re: Ball lightning
Message-ID: <132@prometheus.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 2-Apr-85 23:36:21 EST
Article-I.D.: promethe.132
Posted: Tue Apr  2 23:36:21 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 5-Apr-85 02:53:22 EST
References: <56@tekig5.UUCP>
Organization: Prometheus II Ltd., College Park, MD
Lines: 61

> do 3D field modeling to explore this, using a Cray somethingorother.
		Experiments are "mucho" cheaper in this case!

> Is there any physics explaining ball lightning?  (I've heard NO from
> a variety of sources).  

Ball lightning is generated in nature by lightning strikes.  It also 
has been formed by the collapse of magnetic field energy  in toroidal 
field coils.  Ball lightning is more likely to be formed globally (near
the ground) in the bands between the tropics and the arctic.  This 
is correlated with the distance from the earth's magnetic poles, and the 
frequency of observation is proportional to the out of doors population 
and, of course, where thunder storms are most common.

Ball lightning is a magnetoplasmoid.  From the outside it is a spheroidal
plasma surface, upon which forms fragile blanket of NO2, O3, and NO5 
(very explosive) gases.  The gases generate odor (fire and brimstone) 
and filter out (absorb) most visible light) but do pass a little more 
of the reds and oranges.  The photochemical blanket can be blown
off with air tubulence.

The "guts" or inside of ball lightning consists of a toroidal plasma 
current ring suspended within the spheroidal shell by its own self-
generated external poloidal field.  This field generates more
pressure within the "hole" of the ring then around the "outside" rim; 
consequently, a confining pressure is needed to keep the ring from 
simply expanding continuously.  Ninety percent plus of this force is 
provided by the second self generated field (toroidal) which exists 
within the plasma ring itself.  The remaining (10%) force necessary 
is provided by the plasma pressure of the conducting plasma shell or 
mantle.   The plasma pressure at the center of the toroidal axis is 
~12 times the pressure at the mantle or air boundary (1 atmosphere).  
And, this plasma configuration is ideally MHD stable (Rosenbuth
and Bussac, Nucl Fus, 19, 489,1979).  Yes, it's harnessable for 
thermonuclear fusion.  In fact, fusion almost looks like a "piece of 
cake" with this technology.

Step 1. A tokamak (russian invention) is a stellarator with a toroidal
	plasma current replacing the stellarator's poloidal field 
	(toroidal current) coil.
Step 2. A spheromak (American invention) is a tokamak with the toroidal 
	field (poloidal curent) coils replaced by plasma currents, and 
	the vertical field coil replaced by conduction shell (usually).
Step 3. A PLASMAK(tm) configuration (American) is a spheromak with the
	conducting shell replaced by a plasma shell and all thermal 
	electron currents replaced by runaway electron currents (relativistic).
			US Patent 4,023,065		

*  tm -  Trade mark of Prometheus II, Limited.      	
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