'Ball lightning' captured for first time by Chinese scientists  

中国研究人员首次拍摄到神秘球状闪电(图)

Screenshot of the video about 'Ball lightning' shot by Chinese scientists in Qinghai province (photo: Beijing Daily)

(ECNS) -- Chinese scientists managed to accidentally record an instance of ball lightening in western China's Qinghai province. It marks the first time that such a phenomenon has ever been captured in the natural environment, the Beijing Daily reported on Wednesday.

One of the most enduring atmospheric mysteries in science, ball lightning is a phenomenon in which a glowing orb of light persists for seconds after a lightning strike.

The phenomenon was recorded by Chinese researchers from the Northwest Normal University. The scientists were observing a thunderstorm when the ball lightning, five-meters-wide and lasting for nearly two seconds, appeared before their eyes. The ball disappeared after running for 15 meters on the ground.

By applying spectrographs, the scientists discovered that the orb contained the same elements found in soil: silicon, iron, and calcium.

The finding has been published in the latest issue of "Physical Review Letters," a scientific journal published by the American Physical Society.