SaintElmes

Saint Elmo's Fire, also known as the Ignis Sancti Elmo, is a weather phenomenon characterized by a luminous plasma discharge that appears on the tips of pointed objects, such as masts, spires, and aircraft wings, during thunderstorms. The phenomenon is named after Saint Elmo, the patron saint of sailors, as it was often observed on ships during storms.

The exact cause of Saint Elmo's Fire is not fully understood, but it is believed to be a form of corona discharge, similar to the spark that jumps from a Van de Graaff generator. This discharge occurs when the electric field around a pointed object becomes strong enough to ionize the air, creating a plasma that emits light.

Saint Elmo's Fire is most commonly observed during thunderstorms, when the high electric fields associated with lightning can cause the discharge. It can also be seen on aircraft during flight, particularly during takeoff and landing, when the aircraft's metal surfaces can become charged with static electricity.

The phenomenon has been documented for centuries and has been the subject of numerous scientific studies. Despite its long history, the exact mechanisms behind Saint Elmo's Fire remain a topic of ongoing research.