On Tue, 20 Sep 2005 00:18:28 +0200, "Colin Youngs"
wrote:

http://www.vwkweb.nl/foto/2005/09bolbliksemgroot.jpg

Photo posted on the discussion forum of the Dutch amateur observers'
association VWK Discussion on the forum as to whether or not it is
genuine.

Taken at 15.19 local time on Saturday 10th September in Rijswijk near The
Hague in the Netherlands.

Colin Youngs
Brussels




The "blue falling object" looks like a piece of modern sculpture, common on
continental streets.

The red/yellow light is a shop neon sign.

The bright white circular artifact is either a refection of the camera flash -
you can just make out another (linear) reflection on the nearest lamp-post - in
a car or shop window, or a high voltage cable flashing over to the lamp
standard.

Not ball lightning IMVHO but I still believe it occurs, possibly as a volume of
ionised air - a bit like St Elmo's fire or corona discharge that has become
detached somehow.

Martin

Many thanks for that explanation. It certainly looks from the streakiness in
the image that it was taken from behind glass, but it appears that I could
be mistaken. It does highlight, however, that details of where and how a
photograph is taken are important, e.g. location, time, exposure, when
trying to identify anything out of the ordinary.

--
Bernard Burton
Wokingham, Berkshire, UK.

Satellite images at:
www.btinternet.com/~wokingham.weather/wwp.html
"Derecho" wrote in message
vices.nl...
The picture was not taken behind glass or plastic, the phenomenon was just
this bright. In fact, "the ball of light" wasn't even moving, but followed
a
nearby strike and was attached to a light pole with power lines for a
tram.
I think it isn't a "genuine ball lightning", but some sort of burning of
material (Magnesium?) from this pole or power line.
For those of you who understand Dutch a bit, follow the discussion on this
forum:
http://forum.vwkweb.nl/viewtopic.php?t=2925

Bernard

"Bernard Burton" schreef in bericht
...
I agree with the posts that attribute the bright patch to reflection in
glass or plastic. From streakiness visible in the image, it is obvious
that
the exposure was made behind glass or transparent plastic, and
reflection
of
flash or some other light source behind the camera is the most likely
explanation.

--
Bernard Burton
Wokingham, Berkshire, UK.

Satellite images at:
www.btinternet.com/~wokingham.weather/wwp.html
"Colin Youngs" wrote in message
...
http://www.vwkweb.nl/foto/2005/09bolbliksemgroot.jpg

Photo posted on the discussion forum of the Dutch amateur observers'
association VWK Discussion on the forum as to whether or not it is
genuine.

Taken at 15.19 local time on Saturday 10th September in Rijswijk near
The
Hague in the Netherlands.

Colin Youngs
Brussels

On Tue, 20 Sep 2005 11:46:19 +0200, "Derecho"
wrote:

The picture was not taken behind glass or plastic, the phenomenon was just
this bright. In fact, "the ball of light" wasn't even moving, but followed a
nearby strike and was attached to a light pole with power lines for a tram.
I think it isn't a "genuine ball lightning", but some sort of burning of
material (Magnesium?) from this pole or power line.
For those of you who understand Dutch a bit, follow the discussion on this
forum:
http://forum.vwkweb.nl/viewtopic.php?t=2925

Hmmm... the "orb" sounds like some variant of St Elmo's Fire then. Not
ball lightning anyway, I'd say it's far - too bright, tight and and
compact dor that.

Ball lightning usually floats free in the open air and earths out on
contact with physical objects... St Elmo's Fire is attached to
physical objects (but I've only seen ball lightning, not St Elmo's)

--
Dave

looks like the ball lightening i saw many years ago

"Dave Ludlow" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 20 Sep 2005 11:46:19 +0200, "Derecho"
wrote:

The picture was not taken behind glass or plastic, the phenomenon was
just
this bright. In fact, "the ball of light" wasn't even moving, but
followed a
nearby strike and was attached to a light pole with power lines for a
tram.
I think it isn't a "genuine ball lightning", but some sort of burning of
material (Magnesium?) from this pole or power line.
For those of you who understand Dutch a bit, follow the discussion on
this
forum:
http://forum.vwkweb.nl/viewtopic.php?t=2925

Hmmm... the "orb" sounds like some variant of St Elmo's Fire then. Not
ball lightning anyway, I'd say it's far - too bright, tight and and
compact dor that.

Ball lightning usually floats free in the open air and earths out on
contact with physical objects... St Elmo's Fire is attached to
physical objects (but I've only seen ball lightning, not St Elmo's)

--
Dave