St . Elmo's fire

Q: What is St . Elmo's fire?

Krishna: The name is strange and comes from St. Erasmus, the patron saint of sailors. Sailors sometimes saw this phenomenon during storms and associated it with his protection. Hence the name.

St. Elmo's fire is a luminous electrical discharge that appears as a blue or violet glow, often seen on pointed objects like ship masts, aircraft wings, or even lightning rods during thunderstorms. It's a type of corona discharge, where air molecules become ionized in a strong electric field, creating a visible plasma. This phenomenon is named after St. Erasmus of Formia, the patron saint of sailors, who was said to be associated with the phenomenon appearing during storms on ships

St. Elmo's fire is a visible electrical discharge that appears as a bright, glowing light. It's commonly observed on pointed objects during storms, such as ship masts and antennas , aircraft wings and nose cones, lightning rods and tall structures.

 During thunderstorms, the electrical field in the atmosphere becomes very strong. When this field reaches a critical strength around a pointed object, it ionizes the surrounding air, causing it to glow. 

While St. Elmo's fire is a fascinating natural display, it's important to remember that it can be a sign of intense electrical activity. If you see it, especially on an aircraft, it's best to be cautious and seek guidance from qualified personnel. 

If you feel a tingling sensation on your skin or if your hair raises up like grass, it is a sign of St. Elmo's fire and the beginning of lightening. You have to immediately take steps to protect yourself.