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Registered Member #2910
Joined: Wed Jun 09 2010, 07:50PM
Location:
Posts: 5
"there is no scientific basis and it is mainly a matter of belief."
That's what I thought, and will think...until I get it on my own camera.
actually, I have started looking into the possibility of making a rocket. I may even be able to make multiple ones, seeing as I do have a lot of spare rocket parts lying around...long story.
Registered Member #2028
Joined: Mon Mar 16 2009, 08:13PM
Location: Norway
Posts: 319
_insertnamehere_ wrote ...
Do you think "ball Lightning" is a serious concern? All the stories I've heard of people getting killed by lightning is being directly or indirectly struck.
If we did conclude that they do exist, they would still be incredibly rare. And the "goes-through-anything-killing-anyone-thing" could very well be a myth. I would be more concerned about "bolts from the blue", which are definately not a myth. Just look up positive lightning or anvil lightning.
Still a pretty rare phenomena though.
There is anther safety concern that has not been adressed, and that is thunder. If lightning struck ground two feet in front of you, and you miraculously werent electrocuted, you could still be knocked unconscious and left half deaf by the pressure wave. Heating of the air happens so fast in a lightning bolt that it could be compared to a small explosion. So your faraday cage should be more than a cage, it should be a metal shell. A car should be sufficient, but be aware that being struck can easily destroy the cars electronics.
IntraWinding: If you could track down that schematic i'd be grateful.
Registered Member #16
Joined: Thu Feb 02 2006, 02:22PM
Location: New Wilmington, PA
Posts: 554
Renesis wrote ... There is anther safety concern that has not been adressed, and that is thunder. If lightning struck ground two feet in front of you, and you miraculously werent electrocuted, you could still be knocked unconscious and left half deaf by the pressure wave.
Yeah.....no. I've been within 30 feet of numerous lightning strikes, and with in about 3 feet on one occasion (lightning struck my car with the windows open). In fact, when you are in extremely close proximity to a lightning strike, you don't really hear any thunder at all. What you hear is a loud snap, rather like a .22 caliber rifle firing. There is some thunder, but it's not as loud (or perhaps just doesn't *seem* as loud) as if you were say, 50 yards away. It's enough to make your ears ring a bit, but it's hardly a hand grenade going off at your feet. Firing a shotgun without ear protection is considerably more uncomfortable.
If it hits 2 feet in front of you, you are probably screwed, but not because of the thunder. Ear protection isn't a terrible idea though.
Registered Member #902
Joined: Sun Jul 15 2007, 08:17PM
Location: Pacific Northwest USA
Posts: 1042
_insertnamehere_ wrote ...
"there is no scientific basis and it is mainly a matter of belief."
That's what I thought, and will think...until I get it on my own camera.
actually, I have started looking into the possibility of making a rocket. I may even be able to make multiple ones, seeing as I do have a lot of spare rocket parts lying around...long story.
If you can go with a rocket, that would be advisable by me for several reasons: one, more reliable triggering, two higher altitude, three better stability in the air from things like wind, four if lightning doesn't strike it and the tether falls you are ready for it to happen because you know when, and it can be remotely triggered.
Fiber Optic Links are very simple for a purpose like this, or you could use a wireless controller, I actually used to use a prepaid cellphone ($10), though I don't recommend that because someone might accidentally call the wrong number and launch!
Registered Member #2463
Joined: Wed Nov 11 2009, 03:49AM
Location:
Posts: 1546
The negative ion industry has field meters. Certain old vacuum tubes can detect<1E2 electrons/second.I you connect your air terminal to a motorized variable capacitor (static chopper) you can measure the charge as AC amplitude.
Registered Member #2261
Joined: Mon Aug 03 2009, 01:19AM
Location: London, UK
Posts: 581
I can't find the circuit I mentioned, but I collected these links along the way... This gives the idea of the one I was looking for, except it used an op-amp I think This might help Measurement of atmospheric electric fields Commercial Device User manual More
But:
Here's a DIY 'Field Mill ' which looks to be exactly what you need!
Registered Member #2910
Joined: Wed Jun 09 2010, 07:50PM
Location:
Posts: 5
I'm definitely going towards the rocket plan now. AS far as the remote ignition, I have an old R/C plane that I haven't used in a good 8 years, so I think I'll cannibalize it. I just have to figure out how to integrate it with a rocket igniter. Also, since the remote control has multiple channels, I may be able to rig multiple rockets for one storm. Also, I'm planning on switching over to Copper-Kevlar Tinsel wire instead of 32 gauge copper wire. The pure copper wire is just too weak.
As far as the the field detector goes, I think I might just go with the ionized razorblade trick. seems much cheaper...and easier to fabricate. I'll have to check the reliability first though, and if it isn't up to par, I'll have to use those field mill plans.
Registered Member #2028
Joined: Mon Mar 16 2009, 08:13PM
Location: Norway
Posts: 319
Dave Marshall wrote ...
Renesis wrote ... There is anther safety concern that has not been adressed, and that is thunder. If lightning struck ground two feet in front of you, and you miraculously werent electrocuted, you could still be knocked unconscious and left half deaf by the pressure wave.
Yeah.....no. I've been within 30 feet of numerous lightning strikes, and with in about 3 feet on one occasion (lightning struck my car with the windows open). In fact, when you are in extremely close proximity to a lightning strike, you don't really hear any thunder at all. What you hear is a loud snap, rather like a .22 caliber rifle firing. There is some thunder, but it's not as loud (or perhaps just doesn't *seem* as loud) as if you were say, 50 yards away. It's enough to make your ears ring a bit, but it's hardly a hand grenade going off at your feet. Firing a shotgun without ear protection is considerably more uncomfortable.
If it hits 2 feet in front of you, you are probably screwed, but not because of the thunder. Ear protection isn't a terrible idea though.
-Dave
Really? I learned this in a documentary, on discovery channel i think. But if you say thats incorrect, i'll believe you. Discovery is always overdramatizing everything.
IntraWinding wrote ...
I can't find the circuit I mentioned, but I collected these links along the way... This gives the idea of the one I was looking for, except it used an op-amp I think This might help Measurement of atmospheric electric fields Commercial Device User manual More
But:
Here's a DIY 'Field Mill ' which looks to be exactly what you need!
Registered Member #2261
Joined: Mon Aug 03 2009, 01:19AM
Location: London, UK
Posts: 581
I would eliminate any plans to use radio control. In fact ideally the trigger mechanism shouldn't be electrical. You really really don't want one of these going off while you're standing next to it! A mobile phone trigger will make you look really silly when someone phones to say you've won a free holiday at the wrong moment. And a nearby bolt of lightning setting all your rockets off at once could really spoil your day!
On the other hand, one of these would be super cool, if you happened to survive!
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Triggering Lightning
