Abstract
I DO not see on what grounds it is concluded (p. 423) that ribbon lightning has a real existence. The appearance might easily be caused by defective vision. If the fork is not distinctly focussed on the retina, it may appear either broadened or double or multiple, especially if there is any degree of cataract in the eye. The ribbon appearance in the photograph shown in your article is surely to be explained by the camera having been moved downwards and slightly to the right, or else in the opposite direction, and three or more discharges having taken place during the time. The horizon not being sharp is further evidence. One may imagine, however, that an appearance of this kind might also arise from a discharge being repeated through the same air, but the air moving bodily between one discharge and the next: it seems to me it yet remains to be proved whether such a thing ever does occur. One would suppose that if it did, the motion of the air would not be uniform throughout the flash, and therefore the ribbon would be unequal in width in different parts.
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BACKHOUSE, T. Remarkable Lightning Flashes. Nature 60, 520 (1899). https://doi.org/10.1038/060520c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/060520c0
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