Lightning Looks Beautifully Terrifying At 11,000 Frames Per Second

Lightning Looks Beautifully Terrifying At 11,000 Frames Per Second


There’s a reason “lightning” is so often a modifier for fast; you can barely see it even if you’re staring at the right place at the right time. But if you’re looking at the right place at the right time with a camera that can capture 11,000 frames per second, you’re going to see an incredible show.

This awesome footage was part of National Geographic’s Naked Science — Lightning Chasers back in 2011, but it’s as relevant — and crazy to watch — as it’s ever been. And as far as we can tell, it’s still the most detailed footage of a lightning strike ever.

Scored with some knowledge-dropping by lightning physicist Vladislav Mazur and meteorologist Tom Warner, this clip is one righteous primer on a beautiful and dangerous natural phenomenon. [Petapixel]