Xref: utzoo comp.dcom.modems:3951 sci.physics:8446
Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!att!mtuxo!mcripps
From: mcripps@mtuxo.att.com (XMP12-M.CRIPPS)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems,sci.physics
Subject: Re: TrailBlazer Plus vs. lightning
Message-ID: <4743@mtuxo.att.com>
Date: 5 Jun 89 20:03:51 GMT
References: <3784@phri.UUCP> <2289@pur-phy>
Organization: AT&T, Middletown NJ
Lines: 17

> Electric sparks make a "snap" sound. This is true of lightning.
> Most people who have heard that sound from a lightning bolt don't
> live to tell the tale.

While I'm by no means an expert, I lived in a mountainous region of PA
for a couple of years, and experienced several nasty storms "up close".
On several occasions when I was right in the midst of the storm (i.e.,
the lightning and thunder were simultaneous), I heard a loud and distinct
*click* before the flash.  Since I was outdoors at the time, I don't think
it was electronic equipment.

I also seem to recall reading about this phenomenon (Radio Electronics, several
years ago).  I thought it was caused by the breakdown before the spark, but,
again, I'm not an expert.

Mike Cripps
mtuxo!mcripps