11 min listen
Choose Your Lightning Protection: Lasers, Rockets or Rods?
FromShort Wave
ratings:
Length:
12 minutes
Released:
Jan 29, 2024
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
Every year, lightning is estimated to cause up to 24,000 deaths globally. It starts forest fires, burns buildings and crops, and causes disruptive power outages. The best, most practical technology available to deflect lightning is the simple lightning rod, created by Benjamin Franklin more than 250 years ago. But lightning rods protect only a very limited area proportional to their height. In today's encore episode, we explore why a group of European researchers are hoping the 21 century upgrade is a high-powered laser. Plus: Regina makes incremental progress on conquering her irrational fear of lightning.Struck by other illuminating scientific research? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.
Released:
Jan 29, 2024
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (100)
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