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Incredible video captures lightning striking the sky from lightning rods

Incredible video captures lightning striking the sky from lightning rods

People don’t know much about how lightning rods work, despite the fact that these protective devices were invented back in the 18th century and have saved many buildings from destruction and fire. We know that an aluminum or copper rod installed at the highest point in the landscape diverts a lightning charge from the building into the ground through connecting wires.

In fact, it’s a little different than described above. Or not at all. Before the lightning discharge hits the rod, the latter throws a positive electrical charge toward it. And if it’s not as spectacular in pictures, it’s more than spectacular in video. Brazilian scientists, who studied the details of lightning rods, are grateful for the chance to record a unique documentary video.

The video was made possible by a camera capable of capturing up to 40,000 frames per second. It was mounted 450 feet away from where the lightning struck, and the researchers risked losing it. And this is what it captured.