My fiancee and I were just now woken up by the sound of a large explosion right in our bedroom. Almost like a gunshot but not quite that loud. And I think I saw a flash of light. Both seemed to come from near the ceiling by the door. I turned on one of the lights but there's no residue I can see from anything. Nothing seems to be broken in terms of lights or circuits. Was it some kind of giant static discharge? [more inside]
posted by kmz on Oct 16, 2009 - 30 answers

Would a faraday cage protect sensetive electronic equipment from ambiant static electricty during a lightning storm?
posted by 1joseywales on Sep 16, 2009 - 8 answers

Where can I find lightning closures for purchase sans bottle? I want to install them on my own bottles. (Description and photos below) [more inside]
posted by Merlin144 on Aug 23, 2009 - 5 answers

Why does lightning hitting the CN Tower give off brighter, more sustained strikes? [more inside]
posted by reformedjerk on Aug 14, 2009 - 5 answers

Lightning strike! Home audio receiver got burned but it still works. I'm confused as to why this thing still operates. Advice? [more inside]
posted by Dave. on Jul 30, 2009 - 2 answers

What are the real odds of being killed by lightning, if you are outside in a field during a storm (i.e. factoring OUT all the people smart enough to stay inside)? [more inside]
posted by Jim Biancolo on Jul 17, 2009 - 19 answers

Is it okay to use a window fan during a thunderstorm? [more inside]
posted by MesoFilter on Jun 11, 2009 - 7 answers

Am I safe showering during a thunder and lightening storm? [more inside]
posted by boulder20something on Jun 10, 2009 - 21 answers

Can I sync a blackberry curve 8300 with Mozilla Thunderbird (+ Lightning) or Google Calendar without Outlook and with no data plan on my blackberry? [more inside]
posted by backwards guitar on Jun 10, 2009 - 6 answers

My Thunderbird/Lightning combo has been behaving oddly ever since a failed attempt to create a repeating event yesterday. It wiped out all events for March and stalls whenever I launch it now, although once launched, it seems to work smoothly. I've been able to add non-repeating events back into March and they are staying in place. My profile is backed up. What next? [more inside]
posted by maudlin on Mar 12, 2009 - 2 answers

My wife is trying to find a clip that she saw on Spike TV of a guy getting hit by lightning. He was holding a video camera and it gets hit by lighting, after which he says "Shut up mom, let me gather myself." The clip took place at night. Can anyone help her find it?
posted by HSWilson on Feb 8, 2009 - 3 answers

How do I prevent lightning strikes on my old Singaporean building from killing my electronics? [more inside]
posted by jimdanger on Jan 18, 2009 - 9 answers

TreeFilter: How do I know what is actually dead? [more inside]
posted by stormygrey on Jul 23, 2008 - 8 answers

Residential Lightning Protection System: good idea or waste of money? [more inside]
posted by texas_blissful on Jul 6, 2008 - 7 answers

Is anyone working on harvesting the energy of lightning? [more inside]
posted by cinemafiend on Jun 24, 2008 - 13 answers

What do you suppose caused this effect? [more inside]
posted by pjern on Jun 6, 2008 - 14 answers

Anyone have any tips on overcoming a lightning phobia? [more inside]
posted by LeeJay on Apr 2, 2008 - 8 answers

Which (American-style) electrical surge protector will most reliably and economically protect my precious computer equipment from unforeseeable disaster? [more inside]
posted by zachxman on Aug 13, 2007 - 13 answers

What happened last night? My friend and I were sitting in my apartment living room, lights on, not intoxicated, during a thunderstorm, which seemed to be nearby but not directly over us. Suddenly there was a spark in the air -- literally, in the middle of the room. [more inside]
posted by Eater on Aug 4, 2007 - 15 answers

Lightning. Why does it always go to ground? [more inside]
posted by Solomon on Jul 24, 2007 - 14 answers

[UofChiFilter] Any Chicagoan mefites familiar with the University of Chicago and it's Cobb Coffee house out there? Live show info appreciated! [more inside]
posted by ronmexico on Mar 20, 2007 - 7 answers

Was I struck by lighting? [more inside]
posted by squishy on Aug 28, 2006 - 9 answers

Disaster! Our flat was struck by lightning. Even worse, now our TV doesn't work. [more inside]
posted by randomination on Jul 27, 2006 - 8 answers

How dangerous is it, really, to ride a steel-framed bicycle around in a thunderstorm? [more inside]
posted by irregardless on May 8, 2006 - 15 answers

Please help me find this great picture of electrical arcs. I saw this photo a while back. I'm pretty sure it was in a magazine. It was of a great big round room, with some sort of large apparatus, like a collider or something (it wasn't a collider I don't think). There were scaffolding and cat walks running everywhere. Lots of pipes and fittings. Everything was gold or copper or something. And the entire room is covered in arcs of electricity. Great big bolts running all around the room, with smaller and smaller branches and fingers breaking off to fill up every metal surface area with arcs. It was some sort of electrical discharge as a result of the experiment that was being run. I can't remember what it was, so I don't even know what to look for in Google. Any help would be appreciated. Even just a guess as to what the device was that would produce that, so I have a starting point to try and find it. Thanks.
posted by gummo on Aug 1, 2005 - 12 answers

I'm losing a lot of electronic gadgets to lightning strikes. What are the best ways to prevent further damage? [more inside]
posted by junkbox on Jul 26, 2005 - 18 answers

Anyone have info on this famous lightning photo? [more inside]
posted by Ethereal Bligh on May 27, 2004 - 4 answers