There's a mesmerizing new project from an organization called Blitzortung.org that lets you see real-time lightning strikes
around the world. It works using a network of volunteers willing to
purchase and set up a $275 or so detection kit.
Once activated, each kit
can spot the radio signals from a lightning strike and transmit the
precise time and location to the Blitzortung.org's servers. From there,
the lightning is displayed (complete with bug-zapper sound) on one of
five maps including North America and Europe, along with a line between
the strike and detecting station.
Interestingly, a sensor in New York
can pick up lightning in Cuba, for instance, since the low frequency RF
waves can travel thousands of miles. Hit the source if you want to
participate, or just marvel at another striking example of crowd-sourced technology.
Monday, June 23, 2014
Watch lightning strike around the world in real time
6:13 AM
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